Happy New Year everyone! We hope you've had a good one. Lets finish this year off with a look back at some of 2012s top wedding trends and a few picks for 2013. 

Ombré was huge in the wedding industry this year, especially in flowers and cakes. Although tipped to fade a little in 2013 it's romantic shades are sure to keep it on many brides wish list for a while to come. (Turquoise ribbons ombre cake by Bobbette and Belle.)

Photobooths were as big as ever, do it yourself or call in a professional, just have a plentiful supply of silly props to hand. (24 printable photobooth prop signs from i do it yourself  pic from Hot Metal Studio)

Weddings went chalkboard crazy in 2012, faux and the real things in everything from invites to decorations. Chalk this one up as a trend we'll see gaining even more popularity next year. (Faux chalkboard seating plan from i do it yourself  by Rhys Albrecht)

Bold prints and graphic shapes were seen all over the place in 2012 and it's a trend I think we'll see carried into 2013. Chevron was a favourite choice for many brides and bright pops of neon colour have been especially popular in stationery products. (Chevron and neon tribal invitations from i do it yourself)

Probably the worst wedding trend of 2012 though was the fake death proposal. People popped the question by pretending to fall off buildings and even die in plane crashes! Check out this guys proposal on you tube who set up a whole scene involving the police.

So what's looking hot for 2013? Vintage styling is as popular as ever - look for more 1920s glamour inspired by the release of the Great Gatsby movie. And for something completely different, rustic camping themed weddings are doing the rounds.

Food trucks are rolling on into receptions and serving up everything from burgers to cookies and ice-cream. A fun alternative to the dessert bar which has been a wedding must have for the past few years, and even as a complete alternative to a sit down dinner.
Green is always a fashionable favourite at weddings and with Pantone's pick of emerald as their colour of the year we'll see more of it creeping into palettes. Our pick is to team it with fresh tones of tiffany and cream. And finally, colour for wedding dresses and cakes. Jessica Biel's pretty blush gown is already inspiring brides to be and eye popping cake design is, well, popping up everywhere.

What's your pick for 2013?

Pic via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Southern Living, Anthropology, Stagetecture.

How adorable are these little santa heads, the perfect way to jazz up a simple gift of wine this Christmas. Felt hats, some cushion stuffing for little beards and a wooden button for the nose. Pic via Garnet Hill.

The state bird of washington is the goldfinch and we've added this pretty little print to our etsy shop.

We've added something new to the i do it yourself shop this week. These super cute wedding diary dates. An essential set of printable stickers to help organise and plan your wedding in style.

There are plenty of beautiful designs to help you keep track of appointments and deadlines as you plan your big day. Using vintage graphics in fresh and vibrant colours including emerald green. Print them out onto normal or sticker paper, then punch or cut out and stick onto your calendar or diary.

Available from the i do it yourself shop.

In our pick of 2013s hottest shades of emerald, tiffany and fresh green, we have a free download of lovely labels. Use them for just about anything - favours, decorations, place settings, just get creative! Available for download from the 'i do' it yourself websites freebies section.

The pantone colour gurus have done it again and released their pick for the 2013 colour of the year - emerald. We think this gorgeous shade of green, which we call jungle, shines best with tones of tiffany, fresh green and cream. Team it with on trend graphic shapes like the chevron pattern for a fun and fabulous look.

Credits: Pantones colour of the year Emerald. Stunning white and green chevron stripe cake by Sweet Sensations. Shades of green and blue tablescape via Martha Stewart. Green chevron washi tape  from Back to Zero. Party dress from BHLDN.

Drinks from Martha Stewart. Edible emerald cake decoration butterflies from Uniqdots. Aqua and emerald fiesta garlands via Design Sponge. Emerald bridesmaid unknown. Chevron wedding invitation by 'i do' it yourself.

Colour Palette: Jungle (Emerald) Green, Tiffany, Fresh and Cream

We've had a nice early Christmas pressie at the i do it yourself office, being featured in a couple of great mags the past few weeks. Bride to Be did a lovely full page using one of our classic fingerprint guest book trees and Cosmo Pregnancy featured our keepsake map as a cute gift idea for a new baby. Thanks guys.

A new print added to the etsy shop today, just in time for Christmas. A London pigeon with a vintage map of the city. Available from the creative monsoon etsy shop.

We hope you all had a suitably scary halloween, and just to freak you out even more - there's only eight weeks until Christmas! Ahhhh! And for those of you in North America Thanksgiving is just around the corner too, so we've come up with a few new designs to help you celebrate the holidays:



These cute fingerprint designs are a great activity for young and old. Family leave fingerprints and sign their name on the turkey feathers or Christmas tree. A great decoration for years to come and the perfect way to remember your family get together. 
Available from the i do it yourself shop.

Pic via 500px.com

How amazing is this dessert table, and it just goes to show simple ideas are often the best. Just cut out some trees from black craft paper and add in a few store bought halloween silhouettes of bats and owls - or make your own. The whole spooktacular set up can be found on Hello Brielle. Love the meringue ghosts!


Photography by Emily Magers

Here's a gorgeous ghostly idea - ghost cake toppers. Just some skewers, cotton balls, cheese cloth and thread. It's so simple its scary! Check out A Beautiful Mess for the wicked recipe.

Pic and recipe via KTVU

Stuffed cockroaches anyone? Just fill some pitted dates with cream cheese.

Pic: via Flickr

Lychee eyeballs are as simple as stuffing a peeled lychee with a blueberry, a cherry or an olive. Great on their own or serve them in drinks.

Pic via Merryment Design

There are a lot of great Halloween wedding cake ideas but I think this has to be my favourite. Via Funny Cakes.

It's about time we set the mood for this months halloween theme. It just goes to show that you can be gothic and glamorous at the same time.

Credits: black chandelier, until death do us part wedding invitation by i do it yourself, wicked-looking candy apples from Matt Bites and black gown from the Juliet & Romeo Collection by Atelier Aimée.

Downton Abbey's Michelle Dockery and Dan Stevens, a Harry Potter inspired reception complete with floating candles via Preston Bailey's Blog, poisonous cookies via Country Living, creepy crawly dinnerware by Laura Zindel and black and white lace cake via Real Simple.

Colour palette: black, crimson red and purple.

When I think of recycled car tyres turned into planters I always shudder and remember those tacky swans - you know the ones, all the rage in the 80s. But on a trip on Melbourne last weekend I came across these very stylish pots which remind me of La Chamba cookware. They are available from UBeauty Pots and Plants.

I managed to pic up two big old atlases this weekend at a garage sale. Plenty of pages to play with so keep an eye out for some more artwork soon. Love this idea of covering one of those cardboard deer heads with maps. Unfortunately the link for this wasn't working so I'm not sure where it came from originally.

To celebrate Halloween we've introduced a spooky new wedding design - until death do us part. Perfect if you're looking for a very unique way to announce your big day around Halloween.

Available now from the 'i do' it yourself shop.

Something wicked this way comes
We have a super scary new range of Halloween printables available in the 'i do' it yourself shop. Invitations for kids and adults, cup cake toppers, decorations and masks - check them out if you dare!

The new puppy mandala print - dancing dachshunds is now available in three new colours. So apart from the black you can choose, pink, aqua or grey :)
Let us know what dog you'd like us to do next

Let's start the spooky month of October off with something dark, Vera Wangs Fall bridal collection - black. Every girl should have a little black dress so why shouldn't she have a big black wedding version?  Stylish, gothic and perfect for a Halloween wedding. Would you dare?
See the whole collection at VeraWang.com and if you prefer red, check out the new Spring collection

I've decided to go ahead and put the first of my puppy mandala prints into the etsy shop. This one is the dachshund or sausage dog.
It's something I've been playing around with for ages and hopefully other dog breeds will be added later. Let me know what you think and feel free to suggest which doggie design I should do next.

Another month as flown by, where does the time go? I heard someone on the Tv the other day say less than 90 days until Christmas! Panic. But first we've got Halloween, so stay posted next month as something wicked this way comes.

Until then lets take a quick look at what kept us busy this month: We added some colourful new designs, a new fingerprint guest book bicycle. And a sneak peek at our latest range, neon tribal, more to come on that soon.


We also added a stack of new seating chart designs to the shop, like this classic damask, the unique word game and beautiful tiffany twirl.

Pic tumblr

If you're wondering what to do with all your cranes after the wedding, or if you're just inspired by all this origami, how about making a mobile? Such a pretty thing to hang in a room.

Canadian Livings craft blog as a great step by step guide to assembling with just some bamboo skewers and fishing line. You can even add some beads for an extra bit of bling.

Altmix Photography

The tradition might be to fold 1000 paper cranes but we think there must be about 1000 different ways you could use the origami crane symbol at your wedding. A few ideas to get you started...

Ceremony backdrop
Place and escort cards
Cake toppers and decorations
Cupcake toppers
Cookie motifs
Earrings
Necklace pendant
Buttonhole
Bouquet
Chandelier
Stationery motif
Photo backdrop
Table centrepieces
Guest book notes

This beautiful invitation range with origami paper crane design symbolizes peace, happiness and health.
Modern design meets eastern tradition in bold shades of vermillion and shocking pink - or you pick your own colours from the huge selection. Available from the 'i do' it yourself shop.

A little origami inspiration to drool over - paper crane inspired cakes.

The Kitchn also has a guide to making your own edible cranes from wonton wrappers which would be a great surprise garnishes for your wedding menu.

Credits: Top - The Wedding Chicks. Above - Ashley Gillett Photography, SweetTart Cakes via flickr, cupcakes via Wedding Gawker, golden origami cranes via Reverie Magazine.