MY BLOG
Thoughts, Ideas, News And Trends...
Here I will post up ideas, inspiration and trends that are currently hitting the wedding & event world, also any new suppliers that come on board and join my "Little Black Book".
Starting the day on a high note!
There's nothing quite like waking up to a heartfelt wedding testimonial that reminds me why I love what I do. Feeling grateful and inspired—thank you for the kind words Poppy & Alex, massive congratulations.
Sarah-Jane was just the most incredible person to work with! She was so communicative and answered all our questions! She did everything we dreamed and the flowers and decorations were beyond beautiful! Everyone was so complementary of them! Sarah-Jane, you really are amazing! You really are the Fairy Godmother of Weddings
Step up your wedding style with Customised Trainers from Koko Art.
When it comes to wedding fashion, tradition often takes center stage—but what if you could add a personal, stylish twist to your big day? Enter Koko Art, a gem tucked away in Notting Hill, London, that specialises in custom-painted footwear.
For alternative brides and grooms, Koko Art offers a fresh take on wedding shoes, allowing couples to swap formal heels and dress shoes for one-of-a-kind, hand-painted trainers. Whether you want a design that reflects your love story, a splash of color to match your wedding theme, or even a quirky illustration that showcases your personality, Koko Art can bring your vision to life.
Why Choose Custom Trainers for Your Wedding?
Comfort Meets Style – Say goodbye to sore feet and hello to dancing all night in stylish, personalized sneakers.
A Unique Keepsake – Unlike traditional wedding shoes, these trainers can be worn long after the big day, serving as a special reminder of your celebration.
Personalised to Perfection – Whether it’s initials, wedding dates, or artistic designs, Koko Art ensures your footwear is as unique as your love story.
Located at 51 Pembridge Road, London W11 3HG
Planning your wedding? Here are some essential tips to make your big day stress-free and unforgettable!
Set a Budget & Stick to It – Prioritise what matters most.
Book Key Vendors Early – Venues, photographers, and florists fill up fast.
Make It Personal – Choose a theme that reflects your style. Whether it's classic elegance or boho chic, make sure your wedding feels personal and authentic.
Go Green – Opt for eco-friendly décor and locally sourced flowers.
Capture the Magic – Hire a photographer and consider a wedding content creator.
Food That Wows – Interactive dining experiences are a hit! Whether it's a grazing table or interactive food stations, make dining an experience.
Perfect Playlist – Music sets the mood, work with your DJ or band to create a vibe that keeps guests dancing.
Do a Hair & Makeup Trial –Ensure your bridal look is exactly what you envision before the big day.
Enjoy Every Moment – The day will fly by—take time to soak it all in and celebrate your love!
Which of these tips resonates most with you? 
Love and hugs,
Sarah Jane x x
Bright & cheerful table décor ideas...
Looking to add a pop of personality to your table? Here are some creative and unexpected ways to make your setup shine!
Vintage Teapots – Turn an elegant teapot into a stunning floral arrangement for a touch of charm.
Old Books as Centrepieces – Stack beautifully worn books to create an eye-catching display with depth and character.
Repurposed Bottles – Don’t toss those wine and beer bottles—give them new life as vases, candle holders, or fairy light accents!
Let your creativity run wild and transform your tablescape into something truly special!
2025 wedding trends...
Weddings in 2025 are all about personalisation, creativity, and sustainability! Here are some of the biggest trends making waves:
Bold & Colourful Florals – Vibrant, statement-making floral arrangements are replacing traditional pastel palettes.
Mini Wedding Dresses – Short, chic bridal dresses are gaining popularity for a modern, playful look.
Wedding Photo Apps & Content Creators – Couples are hiring professionals to capture candid, behind-the-scenes moments for social media.
Live Wedding Painters & Illustrators – Artists are creating stunning, real-time paintings of the ceremony or reception.
Sustainability & Eco-Friendly Choices – From locally sourced flowers to zero-waste décor, couples are prioritizing green weddings.
Interactive Food Experiences – Think grazing tables, live cooking stations, and unique food pairings to wow guests.
Vintage & Maximalist Rings – Engagement rings are getting bolder, with unique shapes and colourful gemstones.
Soft Glam Bridal Makeup – Brides are opting for glowing, natural beauty looks that enhance rather than transform.
Tech-Enhanced Experiences – From drone photography to digital guest books, technology is playing a bigger role in weddings.
Which of these trends excites you the most?
Wow what a gorgeous day...
June 2024
This weekend, I had the absolute pleasure of working on a breathtaking wedding at the historic Stanton Manor Hotel. Nestled on the edge of the Cotswolds, just a short 20-minute drive from the Spa City of Bath, this charming venue provided the perfect backdrop for a truly magical day.
The theme was peaches & green, a stunning combination that brought warmth and vibrancy to the outdoor ceremony set within the hotel’s beautiful grounds. Every detail reflected the couple’s unique style, making it an unforgettable celebration of love.
Huge congratulations to Jenny & John!
Wishing you both the most incredible journey in this exciting new chapter.
Sustainability in floral choices...
March 2024
As we move further into 2024, the conscientious couple is increasingly prioritising sustainability in every element of their wedding planning, particularly in their floral choices. This shift reflects a broader awareness of environmental impacts and a desire to celebrate love without causing unnecessary harm. Florists and couples alike are turning towards locally sourced flowers, reducing transportation emissions and supporting local economies. Embracing seasonal blooms not only ensures the freshest, most vibrant selections but also minimises reliance on energy-intensive greenhouses.
Moreover, the trend towards using potted plants or living walls offers an enduring alternative to fresh cut flowers, allowing guests to take home a living memento that can grow alongside the couple's blossoming relationship, reinforcing a message of sustainability and growth.
Valentine give away...
February 2024
Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Did someone pop the question? Did you say YES? Then let's make it happen!!! Enter for a chance to win your dream wedding bouquet. Follow the instructions below and I can't wait to chat with you.
Your wedding dress...
How much should a dress for a wedding cost?
Short answer - it depends. According to hitched.co.uk's 2023 wedding survey, the average amount spent on a wedding dress in the UK was £1,300. Having said that, your wedding dress could be more or less expensive, depending on what you're looking for.
Brands like ASOS, Reformation and Revolve offer affordable high-street wedding dresses for as little as £300. However, if you're looking for a bespoke dress from a designer, £2,000 may be more realistic.
How many months before the wedding should you buy the dress?
When shopping for a wedding dress, you need to strike a balance between not shopping too far in advance, but also not leaving it too last minute. Shopping too far in advance could mean a change in trends as well as personal preference while leaving it for a few weeks before can lead to unnecessary stress. The sweet spot? Around eight to 12 months before your wedding day. This will give you time for multiple fittings, as well as alterations, which typically take around three months.
How much are wedding dress alterations?
Depending on how minor or major the tweaks are, your alterations could cost anywhere from £80 to £400.
Wow super chuffed with this...
So this has just happened!!!! For my wedding business Weddings & Events With Sarah Jane
Congratulations on winning Wedding Stylist of the Year you have been selected as our 2023/24 winner!
I will be up on the gallery soon, super chuffed.
https://prestigeawards.co.uk/.../south-england-prestige.../
Loved these colours...
Another amazing wedding at Andwell Brewing Company thank you to Joanna Ranson Photography for these stunning photos. Massive congrats to the bride & groom, Kayleigh & Alan you rocked.
Oh yes please...
How about these beauties for your wedding? Or even a cake pop as your place name or as your wedding favours?
Fully Loaded Donuts - Nelly's Donuts are now offering these.
They last 3-4 days and are eaten cold, they come in lots of flavours and designs.
The glazed donuts are glazed in the same glaze that the big high street brands use!
You can add them to donut walls, have them stacked In any theme and have them branded! You can even have a wedding stacked donut cake!
Want something a little different, I highly recommend them.
Use this code when you place a larger order for a discount: SJC23
https://www.facebook.com/Nellyshotfreshdonuts/
Lovely to wake up to this...
“From the moment we contacted Sarah Jane, she was fantastic and full of great ideas for our wedding. She gave us some great suggestions: a wedding quiz for the guests, flower ideas, sweets table, photo booth props, wedding favours, you name it!
She spent some time with us to learn about our story and really listened to what our needs and wants were as far as the big day was concerned. She was super proactive with Pinterest ideas and so helpful in helping us to visualise our special day. Her props were so popular on the day with small and big guests alike.
She arranged all the flowers for the wedding including the breakfast tables and took care of the chair ends for the ceremony. My bouquet, as well as the button holes and corsage for my maid of honour, all were stunning. The white flower garland she arranged for the outside arch was so pretty - we all had pictures taken with it outside when the sun was out. Sarah Jane’s sweet table was complimented many times and she even arranged for beautiful frames with the order of the day, a frame for the sweet table, and for the wedding favours (which were flower seeds).
We thoroughly recommend her expertise, services, amazing flexibility, and great personality. She helped us create an exceptional day for us and for everyone who joined us to celebrate.
Big thank you from Mr & Mrs Scott xx
Top trends in wedding stationery...
The wedding invitation is always a good place to start when planning your wedding style and it’s just the perfect way to give your guests an idea of the feel of your big day.
It’s time to really allow your personalities to shine, I mean is there ever a more sentimental paper you will send out to your loved ones?
Do it in complete and utter style. I am taking a look at the top trends in wedding stationery today, to give you a feel of what is out there right now and what is possible to achieve with your wedding invites.
If you need any help with your invites do give me a shout as I would LOVE to help....
Anxiety is the theme of Mental Health Awareness Week 2023...
I remember how stressed and anxious I became during my wedding planning so I thought this might help...
5 things to calm and keep you grounded,
1. Focus on your breathing - 4-7-8 breathing technique.
4-7-8 Breathing: How It Works, How to Do It, and More (healthline.com)
2. Get moving - Exercise is a good way of dealing with anxiety.
3. Spend time in nature - Get outdoors, listen to those birds.
4. Try to get some quality sleep or rest.
5. Try to eat a healthy diet.
Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 | Mental Health Foundation
Its all about the tea...
Everyone loves afternoon tea so why not have one at your wedding. Here are the 5 must have items you need to include teapot, pretty china, cake, cake stand, and napkins.
#nationalteaday #weddinginspiration #weddingstyling
Spring vibes...
Message just in from a Bride this morning, and I have to say I think this is a lovely idea for your wedding table, a way to incorporate the Spring. The bridesmaids are also wearing different shades of yellow so will work really well carrying the yellow theme through.
#springweddingseason #springweddingflowers
Wedding shoes...
Need to look good, need to be comfy, and how about unique too, the list goes on! Do check out these sites for some ideas and inspiration.
https://www.paradoxlondon.com/
https://wedding-converse.co.uk/
#lookatyourfeet #feetweek
Pets at your wedding?
You love your pet right, but should they be involved in your wedding day? From worrying about where they are, to what they're eating; including them could just add more stress to the day.
What are your thoughts about pets at weddings?
#petday #petsatweddings #weddingplanning
Easter wedding inspiration...
Easter wedding, how amazing the colours are for Spring. Think daffodils, tulips, bright zesty colours to give you pops of colour. You can be a little quirky with your cake, come lets be honest who doesn't like Easter Eggs! And even a little different with your table decorations, how about using carrots!
Unique wedding venue in Hook...
Looking for a venue for your wedding, something a little different then I have a little secret to tell you..."Andwells Brewing Company" have a great space, great location and some amazing suppliers, perfect for a smaller gathering (micro wedding). Do get in touch to book a show round.
So nice to hear...
A client's testimonial:
"Weddings with Sarah Jane Croke, it's like having your very own fairy godmother on your special day"
Your perfect wedding fragrance...
Are you searching for the perfect wedding fragrance for your wedding day? I hear you! Whether you know what type of scents and aromas you like, or you have no idea where to start I have some top tips for you. Check this article out on Magpie Weddings.
Wedding readings...
Choosing your wedding reading or poem can be tricky especially if you don’t have something that you both initially think of, researching and finding something that the both of you love is the key – or choosing a wedding reading each is also an option, you may decide to choose one romantic wedding reading and one alternative reading… at the end of the day it’s your day, your way.
Take a look at Magpie Weddings for more inspiration with your readings...
Super chuffed...
Excited to be one of the recommended wedding suppliers for "Andwells Brewery" in Hook. A lovely unique venue for a conference, party, or a wedding.
Happy Mother's day...
The history of Mother's Day started during the Middle Ages, the custom developed of allowing people who had moved away from where they grew up to come back to visit their home or 'mother' churches, and their mothers, on the fourth Sunday of the Christian festival of Lent.
At the time, it wasn't uncommon for children to leave home to work when they were as young as 10 years old, so this was an opportunity for families to meet up again.
This became Mothering Sunday in Britain. As the dates of Lent vary each year, so does the date of Mothering Sunday.
New look & new logo...
I have been tweaking my website for a few weeks now and designing a logo for my re-brand let me know what you think?
Something a little different...
Loving these embroidered alternative veils...if you are after something just a bit different mix a colourful veil over your wedding outfit.
Some vintage wedding inspiration...
Some vintage wedding inspiration for a Monday morning...
Add a brooch to your bouquet that belongs to a family member from the past, use some old books as a prop, adorn a beautiful door as a backdrop, even use some vintage furniture to make your ceremony space unique.
Photos taken & shared from www.bride.com
'Jam Hot' band...
Jam Hot are the epitome of high-class, elite performers. With years of experience performing as a Corporate Entertainment Band all over the world, our talented professionals know exactly how to create an insanely successful party, bringing together guests of all ages for a memorable occasion. Our performances have been described as “unparalleled, unrivalled and unbelievable” and nothing says that better than our short showreel. Please view below...
Sunflower bouquets...
Sunflowers, aren’t they just the happiest and brightest of blooms? It’s no wonder you are considering a sunflower wedding bouquet.
If you are looking for ideas on how to incorporate sunflowers into your bridal flower arrangement, I have a few ideas here for you, you can also see more from the article this came from on 'Whimsical Wonderland Weddings' please press VIEW below to see more beautiful bouquets on their on the website.
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