NOT ON THE HIGH STREET

I've always loved the notonthehighstreet website and we're even thinking of having a gift list here since we already have all the basic housey things.  I've also seen some fantastic ideas for wedding decorations so here are just a few..
striking initials  
'Live well Laugh often Love much' in Gaelic

 
could say 'cake' above the cake table!

 
This is a good Christmas pressie/favour idea

 
cutest cake toppers I've ever seen - but £85 eek

 
love this love but not sure where I'd put it afterwards

KILT IDEAS FOR THE MAN

There's a lot more to a highland outfit than meets the eye...
.
KILT
  • Hand stitched - usually the traditional way to go and it can be let out when the groom lets himself go later on in life! Also more expensive but if you're going to buy a kilt it's worth getting a decent one.
  • Machine stitched - cheaper alternative but usually only off the peg ones are machine stitched.
 TARTAN
  • clan tartan - it won't date but you're stuck with that colour, luckily the MacEwan ancient tartan is a nice one. 
  • contemporary tartan - looks more modern but could look like a hire kilt and might go out of fashion.

 CLOTH WEIGHT/YARDAGE
  • needs to be at least 8 yard to get a good drape and deep proper pleat which you can stick your hand in, otherwise it might look like a cheap hire.
  • medium weight (13oz) and heavyweight (16oz) tend to hang best.  The lightweight (10oz) is more of a casual kilt which would be worn in warmer climates. Traditionally they are 100% wool, cheaper tourist ones are maybe polyester.
Crail outfit from thekiltshop.net

SHIRT/TIE OPTIONS
  • black shirt, black socks, black tie (younger and more contemporary)
  • black shirt, black socks, silver satin plain tie which is traditionaly considered a wedding tie.  (personally we 're not keen on the silky cravat ties as they don't really look very Scotish and are more suited to a morning suit rather than a kilt)
  • A tartan tie shouldn't be worn with a kilt either - only casually with trousers/suit
  •   a plain wool tie is an option and should be a colour picked out from your tartan so a blue one might look nice but then only with the white shirt and cream socks combo.

SGIAN DHU
  • lots of nice designs out there at various prices.
  
Sgian Dhu from www.slanjkilts.com






NICE THINGS FROM THE DOT COM GIFTSHOP


Read more »

SHABBY CHIC FLOWER IDEAS

 
 
there are 2 urns outside Dalmunzie which could do with a few flowers to cheer them up

WITH THIS RING....

Contemporary or Vintage?
We both like the idea of designing our own wedding rings so they're unique but it's not as easy as it sounds.  Barry has already seen what he likes when we met Lorraine Law at a wedding show.  She had some fantastic mens rings in some great colours and finishes.   Her style is very contemporary so here are some favourites in this style.
 




Ernest Jones - one of my favourites

 
 Barry tried on this one in Goldsmiths and it looked cool.  We liked the concave shape and the shiney parts looked quite sparkly against the duller brushed area.  The designer is called Christian Bauer and the style number is 08350039.

Then there's the vintage look which is a bit more interested but then would I get bored of it?  And would it look dated and not in a good way in a short space of time....
This vintage style ring is from Ernest Jones (no.8012644)  and was suggested to me by the salesman.  It's not something I would have chosen myself but it looked amazing on with my solitaire engagement ring.  I think I might go down the vintage route now.  This only comes in white gold so I can get a designer to make one in platinum to match my engagement ring.

another from Ernest Jones (5880661).  Would like to see what this looks like in real life... they look totally different than in the pictures really. 

I was originally thinking of getting something more contemporary like this ring below and it fitted the bill (but not the price tag!).  Still don't know whether to go modern or vintage but leaning towards vintage as it's more sparkly and it brings out the diamond in my engagement ring then.

I think we might go bespoke in the end to get exactly what we want - especially Barry as the range on the high street for men is just too limited.  Another designer who's been recomended is Janet Isherwood in Lancashire.

I've found a lot more inspiration for vintage jewellery now that I've looked online.  Here are some of my favourites.
 
 

 
I know this isn't a wedding ring but I love it
I wish now I'd seen this when I'd got my engagement ring. Love it.
But then, high street jewellers don't sell anything different like this.