Out with the old, in with the new... name that is :-)

Hello!

Well, here I am typing my first blog as Mrs Brown... wedding and honeymoon done, and we're returning to a touch of normality.

I'll get a page up on my website soon, but in the meantime, I thought I'd share just a few piccies with you. I've also popped down the names of the fab folks who helped make our day so amazing. We had such an amazing time... everything went perfectly. We wouldn't have changed a thing.

Enjoy the piccies,

Sarah x

Wedding supplier info

Wedding venue

Church: St Mary's Church, Horsham

For the bride

Dress: Elderberry Brides

Veil: Richard Designs (from Elderberry Brides)

Hair: Marisa at Jukka & Co

Make-up: Alison Smith

Tiara and jewellery: Sparkleastar

Shoes: Rainbow Club

Nails: Mel Archer

For the groom & groomsmen

Suit hire: Proposals, Crawley

For the bridesmaids & flowergirl

Dresses: Elderberry Bridesmaids

Bridesmaids' make-up: Alison Smith

Bridesmaids' hair: Debbie the Hairdresser

Hair combs and tiara bands: Sparkleastar

Necklaces & earrings: Sparkleastar

Nails: Mel Archer

The pretty bits, the rings & the photography

Wedding rings: Goldfinger

Wedding party cars: Special Day

All bouquets & buttonholes: Smartdecos

Official photography: Marisa Potter Photography

Reception

Venue: Gatton Manor, Ockley

Table flowers/deco & balloons: Smartdecos

Head table long & low flower decoration: Dorking Flowers

Wedding cake: Naughty but Iced

Favours: Made by my bridesmaids :-)

Band entertainment: Nice Pear

Reception sweet table: Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe

Lollies for the sweet table: The Old Sweet House, Horsham

Thank you to everyone who made the day so special xxx

Three weeks to go...

Greetings, on what is actually a gorgeous day!

Well, I have three weeks to go until my big day. Time to start crossing off those last minute things to do... if only I was getting them done!

This afternoon is dedicated to the creating of my tiara. It's going to be a silver plated number with a mix of Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls. I'll post a piccie once it's made. I might even include a little blue crystal as my something blue. Hmmm...

That's something else I still need to do... my something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. A friend has suggested a shout out to all my facebook friends to help. I might give that a try! Like my Facebook page, and post your ideas for me to check out.

Right... best get on with my tiara. But before I go, as we all know, there is another wedding taking place in April which is getting a lot of media attention (and has gained us an extra bank holiday - hurrah!) - the royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton. Even better than the bank holiday though, is this fantastic knitted scene! Check it out at Creative & Faithful's blog! I love it - I want one - if only for the corgis!

Anyway, until next time, take care,

Sarah x

Eeek... less than four weeks to go!

Hello!

Well, it's getting closer... Richard and I are getting married in less than four weeks!  How did that happen?! Richard proposed on Christmas Day, 2009 - it seemed like we had forever to plan. Now, with less than four weeks to go, we still have a list of things to get through! It's all good though - we're so excited; we really can't wait :-)

In the world of Sparkleastar, I'm over the moon that two friends have offered to host Sparkleastar jewellery parties to help raise funds for Wise Women Say. This is a project that I plan to take on when I return from honeymoon, and I really can't wait. Hopefully we can theme the evenings, and have a really lovely time. If you're local to Horsham, West Sussex, and would like to host your own party, please let me know; I'll get details to you as soon as poss.

'Golden Treasure'
Caroline's Celebration Cakes
with Sparkleastar topper

And, in other news, we now handcraft sparkly cake toppers. I had such fun making my first one, and I'm delighted that Caroline from Caroline's Celebration Cakes was happy with it, and will be using it in some of her displays this year. Bring on the sparkles!

Okay, time is flying by, and I have a wedding to organise. I hope my post finds you well, and I'll catch you soon. Please tell your friends about my blog... the more bloggers following, the merrier I'll be :-)

Take care, Sarah x

Wise Women Say

Hi all,

I took a short break from blogging, but now I'm back!

So, what's new?  Well, I am delighted to announce that Sparkleastar will be supporting Wise Women Say, who are "raising funds for breast cancer charities through wise words". It is a fabulous cause, and I'm looking forward to working with Jenny to help make it a success. I will say no more for now (although a range of jewellery will be involved!), but I do urge you to check out their Wise Women Say website... and hey, whilst you're there, why not post some wise words of your very own?

As for other bits and pieces, I will be at the Gatwick Manor Hotel wedding fayre this Sunday, 27 February, from 11am - 3pm. If you're getting married, why not come along? There'll be lots of opportunities to talk to friendly folk who would love to help make your special day that little bit easier to organise.

Elsewhere in the land of tiaras and jewellery... well, Sparkleastar will be celebrating its fifth birthday!  The big day is on Tuesday, 1 March - and I'll be celebrating with cake (of course) and an offer of a free pair of 'Julie' style earrings for everyone who makes a £20 online purchase during March 2011. So, if you're looking to buy a tiara or item of jewellery, March would be a really good time to do it! Just go to www.sparkleastar.co.uk.

Well, that's all for now.  But, I'll be back... very soon.

Take care until then,

What a weekend!

Evening all!

Wow, what a weekend!

The Millais PTA Everything Prom Evening was fantastic. It was so much fun talking to the young ladies preparing for their first prom. It must be so daunting at the age of fifteen and sixteen to look for the perfect dress and accessories. The catwalk show was fab too. There were some beautiful prom dresses from Xclusive, who happened to be on the stand next to me, and who were super friendly. Hopefully I'll be asked to participate again next year.

Then today I've been at the AB Special Events wedding fayre at The Olympos Leisure Centre in Burgess Hill. Another fab day. Fantastic people looking around, and lots of cards given away to prospective buyers. I love designing and making tiaras, so hopefully a few orders will come through.

Oh yes, and yesterday I got to spend the afternoon with my four bridesmaids. We made an easy decision on hair accessories (they're more decisive than me!), and talked favours, flowers and hen dos!  My wedding is nine weeks away now, and I can't wait!

Okay, time for some relaxing after such a hectic weekend. Hope you're all well. Don't forget to check out www.sparkleastar.co.uk if you have a couple of minutes to spare... you might find something you'd like to buy :o)

Prom Evenings and Wedding Fayres

Hi all,

I'm really excited this week! On Friday, 28 January (this Friday!) I will be showing my tiaras and accessories at the Millais PTA 'Everything Prom' evening. I can't wait... it's the first prom fayre I have attended. The fayre will be open from 7pm to 9.30pm. Should be fun!

Then, after a planned day with my very own bridemaids on Saturday, I'll be back up early on Sunday, 30 January (this Sunday!) for my first wedding fayre of the season. This one is at the Olympos Leisure Centre in Burgess Hill, and will be open between 11am and 4pm. It's FREE entry, so why not come along?!

As you can imagine, I have loads to get ready for the weekend, so I best crack on. I look forward to seeing some of you there. If you are attending one of these events, why not let me know? And, if you can't attend, why not see where else I'll be this year? Check my website for events.

Take care all,

The new look Sparkleastar website is live!

Hi all!

Fab news - the Sparkleastar website is now live and ready for viewing!

I am so pleased with the way it looks. Simon, who's put it all together for me (and who's put up with my mind changing every five minutes) has done a fantastic job!  Thanks Si!

So what now? Well, I am preparing for my first wedding fayre of the season, taking place on Sunday, 30 January at The Olympos Leisure Centre in Burgess Hill, West Sussex. Check out http://www.sparkleastar.co.uk/contact.html for dates, times and venues of this and other fayres.

I'm also hoping to join Millais PTA 'Everything Prom Evening' on Friday, 28 January - I'll post confirmation soon!

In the meantime, please take a look around my new site, and get in touch.  It would be lovely to hear from you.

Hope you have a great weekend,