by Hanami Dream | 14, July, 2015 | blog, traditions
There are many traditions, rituals and customs that people uphold and perform in connection with weddings. Some of these have now lost their relevance in modern society and sometimes we are not even sure why we undertake them. However we continue to perform them for fun, family tradition and superstition, especially as many of them have derived from efforts to bestow the happy couple with good luck.
One such tradition stems from an old English rhyme concerning items that the bride should wear or carry to bring her luck on her special day.
Something old,
something new,
something borrowed,
something blue,
and a silver sixpence in her shoe.
The full version of the rhyme includes the line about a silver sixpence which sadly sometimes gets forgotten. The rhyme is said to originate in Victorian times although some of the traditions are thought to be much older.
Something old:
This represents the link with the bride’s family and friends from the past. The object is commonly an heirloom such as jewellery or a garter and is passed on to offer good luck from a happily married woman.
Something new:
This item symbolises a happy and prosperous new life. Often this item is the wedding dress.
Something borrowed:
This lent item is to remind the bride that her friends and family will be there for her whenever she needs their help. The borrowed object must be returned to ensure good luck.
Something blue:
This item symbolises faithfulness and loyalty. The colour blue often represented purity in olden times. Sometimes the bride’s garter is the blue item or you could add a pop of colour to your outfit in the form of blue shoes or blue nail varnish. This item usually leads to great levels of creativity!
And a silver sixpence in her shoe:
Then comes the last line that is so often missed out. This part of the rhyme is about placing a silver sixpence in the bride’s left shoe to ensure the couple have wealth in the future (both financial and happiness). It is thought that this tradition came about in Elizabethan times when the Lord of the Manor would have often given a sixpence as a wedding gift to any brides that lived on his land. It also harks back to times when the bride’s parents would offer a dowry.
Whichever customs and traditions you decide to incorporate into your big day, we wish you health, wealth, happiness and all the very best in your married life.
by Hanami Dream | 2, June, 2015 | blog
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Photography by Farrow Photography
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It’s coming to the end of the academic year in the UK and plans are afoot for celebrating the end of exams, achieving new qualifications and obtaining degrees.
Business gurus, psychologists and life coaches all agree on the importance of marking and celebrating achievements whether they’re academic, professional or personal milestones.
Thinking back to my old corporate days, the act of celebrating achievements for businesses can help to:
- Bond a team together
- Build morale
- Increase motivation
- Provide recognition
- Establish benchmarks
- Reward objectives and targets that have been met
- Recognise the time and energy that has been put towards something
On a personal level, celebrating milestones can:
- Mark the end or beginning of a chapter
- Provide a time of reflection
- Build confidence
- Give a boost of encouragement
- Provide a sense of fulfilment
From early on in our lives, striving for achievement is instilled in us. Whether this was with sticker charts where small steps add up to a reward after lots of hard work. Or dancing or music exams that test learned knowledge and give certificates so you can move up to the next level. Or watching athletes compete to win gold medals at the Olympics. Exams at school, college and university are a transition to the next step and act as a passage to adulthood.
There are lots of ways to commemorate achievements whether they’re personal milestones, momentous occasions, family events, team building or award ceremonies. Around this time of year, some academia hold proms, graduation balls or end of year parties. We need no excuse for a good party! See our Graduation Prom Pinterest board for more inspiration.
So if you’re celebrating your achievements at the moment (whether this is a big or small occasion or just giving yourself a little treat) make sure you take the time to give yourself some recognition and a little pat on your back. The tassle will be worth the hassle!
Good luck with any exams and congratulations on your achievements!
by Hanami Dream | 14, May, 2015 | blog, tips
Having your friends and family all together and celebrating your special day is often the best gift you can have on your wedding day. Some guests may have travelled a long distance, helped out financially, given their time, skills or support to help with the day. So whilst your guests may be showering you with gifts, it is often customary to give your guests and wedding party a gift to thank them for their involvement too.
Favours for guests
Gifts for your guests can be great mementos or souvenirs of the day showing a token of your appreciation whilst also matching your theme or colour scheme.
Favours originate from European aristocrats who gave their guests Bonbonnieres at high class weddings. These were small ornate and embellished boxes that often contained sugar or sweets. Back in the thirteenth century, sugar was not only considered a luxury item (especially as it was more expensive and harder to get hold of) but it was also believed to be medicinal too.
The tradition of favours spread, with couples in Greece giving sugar covered almonds and Middle Eastern couples giving their guests five almonds. Sugared almonds are now a very common tradition in weddings worldwide. Typically the number of sweets or sugared almonds is an odd number, significant as it cannot be divided between two. Also, the number five is indivisible which symbolises a strong union between the newlywed couple. Plus, the number five has special significance for Christians to represent Health, Wealth, Happiness, Long Life and Fertility.
As weddings used to be seen as a lucky occasion, couples wanted to pass on their good luck to the wedding guests by giving them a favour.
When wedding favours first came to England, in the sixteenth century, couples would give ‘love knots’ made of ribbons and lace to their guests. Nowadays couples are choosing more unique, personalised, dated and themed gifts. Here’s a pick of some of our current favourite favours to eat, meet, keep or have as a treat:
Edible
- Traditional sugared almonds
- Chocolate bars with personalised wrappers
- Retro sweets (think flyer saucers, dip dabs and flumps)
- Loveheart sweets (brought up to date with new slogans such as ‘text me’!)
- Lollipops in a communal bowl on the table
- Cake pops
Ice breakers
- Games to play with other guests on the same table
- Cameras to snap candid shots
- Colouring books to keep children entertained
To wear at wedding
- Flip flops for when your heels are hurting your dancing feet
- Sun glasses for an outside wedding on a sunny day
- Umbrellas for an outside wedding when the weather isn’t as sunny
- Moustaches just for fun
- Temporary tattoos
Grow
- Packets of seeds to grow vegetables
- Dried herbs to add to meals at home
- Succulents or other potted plants
Drink
- Alcohol miniatures
- Loose leaf tea
- Shot glass
Decorations
- Scented candles
- Soap
- Fridge magnets to always remember the couples’ wedding anniversary
Or how about a lottery ticket to share a bit of the good luck from the day?
Gifts for wedding party
In addition to your guests, you may also want to give special gifts to thank those in the wedding party (such as the best men, bridesmaids and parents) for their support. Options for these gifts can be really personalised to the individual, however here are some of our suggestions to get you started:
• Handkerchief embroidered with monogram
• Pocket watch
• Cuff links
• Hip flask
• Wallet
• Pen knife
• Tankard
• Bottle opener
• Leather wash bag
• Compact mirror
• Photo frame
• Artwork
• Fruit tree
• Jewellery
0 anniversary presents
Last, but by no means least, you might want to buy your new spouse a gift to celebrate your wedding day such as:
• Cuff links
• Jewellery
• Photo album
Whether you give favours or not, don’t forget to thank all your guests in your speech for their presence and send thank you notes for their presents.
by Hanami Dream | 2, April, 2015 | blog
This month we are welcoming the arrival of some special newborns in to the world.
Firstly, it seems the whole world is on tender hooks for news of the second child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Plus, we’ve also had great news of new babies for some of our close friends – huge congratulations on your little ones! (And good luck to those still waiting.)
For our friends, we’ve rushed out to post cards of congratulations, family have wet the babies heads and grandparents have furiously knitted for their new grandchildren.
A new baby brings a reason for celebration and this month’s arrivals have intrigued us to look at how the birth of a baby is marked differently the whole world over. Different religions and cultures welcome newborns in many different ways but they mainly focus on introducing the baby to their community, announcing their name and giving them the best start possible. Here are some of our favourite ones that we’ve collated:
parts of the body
- Jewish and Muslim families circumcise baby boys. The Jewish bris ceremony is often conducted eight days after a baby is born.
- In the Hindu religion, newborn boys have their heads shaved to remove negative influences from previous lives.
- Likewise, Muslims traditionally shave a baby’s head seven days after it is born. The baby’s hair is weighed, and the equivalent weight in gold and silver (or its monetary equivalent) is given to charity.
- Babies feet cannot touch the ground in Bali for its first 210 days as babies are considered divine and from heaven.
- In Japan, the umbilical cord is kept in a wooden box.
- Whilst in Jamaica, the afterbirth and cord are buried with a tree planted on top.
trees
- Speaking of trees, it is traditional to plant a cedar tree for a boy and a pine tree for a girl in Jewish culture (which can be cut down to make the supports for their wedding canopy).
- Whilst in Switzerland, new births are celebrated with apple trees being planted for the birth of a boy and nut trees for the birth of a girl.
stay inside
- In Armenia, new mums stay at home with the baby for the first 40 days of their life to protect it from bad luck. Only those living in that house can hold or touch the baby.
- Many cultures believe mother’s should have bedrest or be helped by other family members for the first month of a babies life
gifts
- In Finland, every baby gets a maternity pack from the government.
- Whilst in Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and China, red eggs are given out by the family to signify a joyous occasion and a sense of renewal.
names
- Nepalese families bring the newborn baby to a priest so he can pick the baby’s name.
- In China, The name must harmonize with the date and time of the birth so it can be linked to the right element: water, gold, wood, fire, earth.
- An Aboriginal tribe in Australia carries out the naming ritual during the actual birth of the baby. The midwife calls out the names of all the child’s living relatives one by one. The name chosen is the one being called at the moment of the final stages of the birthing process with the delivery of the placenta.
- For some Buddhist families, an astrologer will draw a horoscope to determine the initial that the name should begin with.
- In China, all children of one generation share the same middle name and there is a cycle of 24 generation names.
- The Inuit usually name newborns after recently deceased family members. This custom is a kind of reincarnation: by taking on that relative’s name, the baby will also take on their qualities or strengths.
- Boys in Japan are given a short, simple name soon after their birth, which they use until their teens. As they get near adulthood, there is a special ceremony where they are given a longer, formal name.
- In some parts of Africa one of the ceremonies involves different names being written on pieces of paper. The name is chosen from the first piece of paper that the baby touches.
- Balinese babies are named according to the order in which they’re born.
naming ceremonies
- After an Inuit child is born, the community’s shaman performs a kind of baptismal ceremony and the baby is given a protective spirit.
- Christians bless babies a few weeks or months following the birth. The traditions vary with each branch of the Church. Some have a baptism or christening, while others have a service of blessing and thanksgiving. Often babies are dressed in a white christening gown which could be an heirloom sometimes passed from one generation to the next or made from the mother’s wedding dress.
- In Ireland, the baby wears a special christening bonnet, made from a hanky that the mother carried on her wedding day. When that child gets older and marries, the bonnet is turned back into a handkerchief that the bride carries during the wedding.
- For Hindus, the baby is taken to a Hindu temple 40 days after birth for a naming ceremony.
- In China, although the baby’s personal name is chosen soon after the birth, the celebration takes place after 100 days have passed.
food
- For some religions such as Hindu and Sikh, baboes are given honey or sweetened water to signify the sweeter things in life.
- Many cultures celebrate the first time the baby is given food.
- At some Christian christenings, the top tier of a couple’s wedding cake is redecorated and served to celebrate the birth of their child.
religious initiation rites
- Many religions continue marking transitions and rites of passage in their children’s lives as they come of age.
- Some Christians have baptisms as part of a confirmation service when they are older.
- Jewish boys and girls have bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah ceremonies when they are 13 and12 years old, respectively.
future
- In China and Armenia, a baby is offered a collection of objects relating to different professions, such as a paint brush, a tool, medicine or money. It is believed that whatever the child grasps will predict his or her future profession.
All the best to you if you’re expecting or have just welcomed your own new little one. We’d love to know how you will celebrate their birth.
by Hanami Dream | 17, March, 2015 | news
Hanami (pronounced ha-na-mee) Dream, my company name came about quite simply because of my love of cherry blossom.
I love seeing the blossom buds appearing on branches, the trees laden with beautiful flowers and then the petals floating in the breeze like confetti at a wedding.
Hanami (花見) literally means “flower viewing” and it is the traditional Japanese custom of enjoying the beauty of cherry blossoms (“sakura”).
Nowadays it is still a big event in Japan and people avidly watch the weather forecasts to see the “cherry blossom front” moving across the country so they know when the cherry blossom will bloom. The cherry blossoms generally start opening around 22nd – 26th March, with full bloom a week later. So at this time of year, there are lots of outdoor parties beneath the sakura either in the day or by night.
What a beautiful season – happy spring time!
by Hanami Dream | 6, March, 2015 | blog
I love this time of year when Spring is on its way. The days are getting longer and warmer, there are buds on the trees, flowers are popping up and lambs are beginning to appear. It feels like everything is coming to life after the winter.
It’s not only Spring that we are celebrating as there’s also a number of new arrivals appearing in our world as we are eagerly awaiting several of our friends’ new babies in the next few months. And what better way to mark these momentous milestones than with a baby shower (or a ‘sprinkle’ in the case of some of those second time round mothers) for the pending or recent birth.
Whilst we may think that the popularity of baby showers is fairly recent and influenced by American trends, the act of welcoming a new baby has actually been around for centuries in lots of different countries (although the ceremonies from Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece might not have been quite in the format we are used to nowadays!)
In years gone by, pregnant women were not often seen in public. So in Victorian times ladies had teas to celebrate and gifts were showered upon the new mother after the baby’s birth (perhaps at their christening). It was after the Second World War, during the baby boom era, that baby showers (as we know them today) started to appear. After the hardships of rationing, these parties acted as a way to prepare women for the next chapter of their life and provided gifts to reduce expenses for expectant parents.
Historically, gifts presented at baby showers would have been handmade (or silver from grandparents). Perhaps the first gifts to be bought to a baby shower were in fact gold, frankincense and myrrh! Traditionally, a layette would have been a collection of clothes, bedding, toiletries and other baby care products for a new born.
Some alternative gift ideas (as suggested by mums with the benefit of some experience) include:
- stain removing detergent (powder, spray, liquid – there’ll be lots of stains!)
- teething granules (camomile remedy to soothe and calm when those dreaded teeth start coming through)
- children’s medicine (for relief from pain and fever)
- antiseptic healing cream (for nappy rash and pretty good on your own spots too!)
- muslins (for mopping up, covering up, holding on to or laying on)
- cloth sling (to carry the baby but be hands free)
- breast pads (to avoid any leaks on your clothes)
- cocoa butter (to lather yourself in to help with stretch marks and smells of chocolate – bliss!)
- Sophie the Giraffe (those teeth have so much to answer for!)
- Nick Cope CDs (not your average children’s music – these are catchy, cool, sing-a-long classics that never grate even on a long journey)
- liquid iron and vitamin supplement (for some extra energy for a new mum)
- porridge oats (great for producing milk)
- pampering products for mum (like bubble bath and hand cream for any precious moments to relax)
- clothes for when the baby gets bigger (they’ll be inundated with the smaller stuff and don’t stay really little for very long. Plus remember to buy for the appropriate season for when the baby will fit that age clothing)
As well as showering the mother to be with gifts, tips and anecdotes, baby showers can include fun games and are now also being used as a way to reveal the gender of the baby. Surprise cakes, confetti filled balloons and scratch cards can be cut, popped or removed to reveal a pink or blue centre.
We are looking forward to the arrival of Spring and the announcements from our friends soon. All the best to you if you’re expecting.
Take a look at our baby shower Pinterest board if you’re looking for party inspiration to welcome your little one in to the world with pastels, polka dots, parasols and patisserie.
by Hanami Dream | 13, February, 2015 | blog, trends
Released to coincide with New York Fashion Week, Pantone® have announced their colour report for Fall 2015. Titled ‘Evolving Color Landscape’, this autumn’s colours are a nice mix of earthy neutrals with some statement pops of colour.
- Dried Herb
- Desert Sage
- Stormy Weather
- Oak Buff
- Marsala
- Biscay Bay
- Reflecting Pond
- Cadmium Orange
- Cashmere Rose
- Amethyst Orchid
Pantone® is the world-renowned authority on colour and the Pantone® Color of the Year is always really influential in any popular colour themes in fashion, interior design and weddings.
For us, Marsala (the Pantone® Color of the Year 2015) sits much better with these earthy tones than the pastels of Spring 2015. It looks like Marsala is totally at home with these natural colours, complimenting but standing out proudly.
We also love the rich teal colour of Biscay Bay and can’t wait to see it and these autumnal colours featuring in couples’ colour schemes.
See some of our trend predictions for weddings in 2015.
by Hanami Dream | 1, February, 2015 | blog, tips
Are you looking for inspiration for ways to pop the question to your loved one this Valentine’s Day? Or maybe, like us, you just love hearing how people get betrothed. If so, then here are some beautiful (and very romantic) proposal stories from real brides that might offer some tips for how to sweep your intended off their feet (or just make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside).
Say it with chocolates
It was summer time and I was a bit sweaty after doing a Davina workout DVD. I was seeing my boyfriend that evening but as I thought he was going to dump me I didn’t even bother to have a shower. He had been a bit quieter than usual and more distant. He even went to London and didn’t invite me. (However I later found out that this was because he had been sorting out my engagement ring!) We went for a picnic by a local river. At the end of the meal he asked me if I would like dessert and he presented me with a Kinda Egg. Oh yes, I love a Kinda Egg! As I opened the yellow plastic yolk, I noticed that instead of a tiny toy there were rose petals and in the centre of the rose head was a beautiful diamond ring. (Apparently it had taken my boyfriend quite a few attempts to open the chocolate and reseal it after putting the ring inside to make it look untouched!) My boyfriend got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was so happy that my smile went from ear to ear. Then quick as a flash, a bit like a James Bond movie, he dived into the river. Powerful strokes took him to the other side where he picked up a waterproof bag and then brought it back to the bank. Opening it he revealed champagne, flutes and rose petals which he showered around. Well that’s how I remember it – he says he waded into a muddy, weedy river and sort of scuttled to get the bag. If all those surprises were not enough then two swans swam over to us and looked at us both before gliding off – I believed them to be a beautiful symbol from God of how long and happy our marriage was to be. He’d also left flowers with some people on a barge that he collected as we walked back home so I got yet another surprise.
Joni – Engaged July 2006 / Married July 2007
Get your timing right
My boyfriend proposed down on one knee, at the stroke of midnight, outside a pub where we were watching a New Year’s Eve fireworks display. I had hoped he would ask me for a while but I was very surprised when he did!
Becky – Engaged New Year’s Eve 2009 / Married March 2011
Use your favourite song lyrics
I was preparing for Christmas Eve. I had just dropped my daughter off at her cousin’s for supper and had returned to finish off ours – roast beef slowly cooking in the oven! I got back to find my other half dressed up smartly for our quiet dinner for two. Candles were lit, drinks poured and a medium sized square box and card sat on the table…it looked too big to be a ring! I placed my small gift on his side of the table and we agreed to open our presents after our supper. It was a lovely evening and just before pudding he suggested we open our gifts. I opened his card first as my mother had always told me that was polite. I was also excited to see what he had written this year as he is always lovely with words and very romantic. He had written the words to a song that reminded him of meeting me and he had made a few changes. It was lovely and I was so touched. He then said ‘Well…you haven’t answered’. I read it again and the second verse spoke of hoping someone like me would one day marry some one like him (good old Kings of Leon!) I hadn’t really taken it in on the first read and of course I said YES! ‘You better open the box then’ was his reply. That paper came of the box so quickly! But it was a candle box!! So I opened the candle box and there was a smaller box. Inside that was my beautiful engagement ring AND wedding band – what a surprise, totally unexpected. He explained he was looking for the right moment since my birthday on 19th December. He also explained that is why he told me to go away one afternoon a few weeks before when he’d said he was busy doing HIS Christmas ‘stuff’
Geraldine – Engaged Christmas Eve 2012 / Married May 2014
Make a toast
We got engaged in Rome while sharing a plate of miniature cakes while I drank, my favourite, thick and indulgent Italian hot chocolate. Then we drank Prosecco and went to a sensational performance by the Three Tenors. Fantastico. I had a feeling that he might ask me but, to be honest, I wasn’t expecting it while we were away. He didn’t go down on one knee, but that’s good because I probably would have run away if that happened in a public place.
Rose – Engaged October 2014 / Wedding date tbc
Keep her guessing
We had just got back from an amazing two week holiday in Mexico. We had been to some stunning places whilst away and I kept thinking that maybe they’d be good spots for a proposal but nothing materialised. The week after our return, my boyfriend surprised me with a weekend away. I thought it was a bit odd to be going away again so soon after getting back, so I wondered if now was the time! He gave me some clues as to where we were going but kept all the details a secret. We left on a Friday afternoon and I was really pleased that we ended up in beautiful Bruges. The next morning I was very excited that it could be the day I would get engaged but although we enjoyed each romantic hotspot there was no gesture of further commitment. Even at dinner that night, I kept thinking that it would happen but still nothing. On the Sunday, we went on a beautiful tandem bike ride but there was still no sign of a proposal. By this stage I thought that I had completely got the wrong end of the stick and this was just a lovely weekend away and I’d obviously read too much in to the situation. We had a delicious last dinner and walked back to our hotel and I resigned myself to the fact that I wasn’t getting engaged this weekend. It wasn’t until we were actually back in the hotel that he did pop the question. I was over the moon! Even though he’d left it until the last possible moment, I know that good things come to those who wait.
Nicola – Engaged August 2010 / Married August 2011
Spell it out
Unbeknown to me, my boyfriend asked for my dad’s permission when we were away on holiday in Madeira in February 2014. He then secretly started planting carrot seeds on his dad’s allotment in March. These were planted to spell out his big question. He wanted to ask me in April but we had so much rain that the carrots didn’t do very well so he had to replant them again! Finally, on a lovely sunny Sunday in June, he took me and our daughter to his dad’s allotment as we were meeting his dad and step mum for lunch nearby. As we approached, he took us down a different path to usual and began to tell me not to spend too much on his father’s day present, as he didn’t need anything and was happy with things as they were. In fact he wouldn’t want to change anything, apart from…my last name. As he knelt down, he pulled a ring from underneath a flower pot. Then I saw that he had planted carrots to form the words “Will you marry me”. Meanwhile his dad and step mum were hiding behind a shed taking photos, and at this point they appeared and pulled a bottle of fizz and glasses from a basket in the shed! We immediately toasted… I of course said yes through happy tears!
Vikki – Engaged June 2014 / Wedding set for August 2015
Say it with flowers
It was 13th February 1999 and I was presented with a huge bouquet of tulips before being whisked away to Amsterdam for the weekend. We were very late catching our flight and just as we were about to go through security, my boyfriend decided he needed to make a phone call and ran off, leaving me to go through on my own! I was getting really worried that he wouldn’t make it back in time and that I’d be going to Amsterdam without him! He made it through just before the gate closed. It was an icy cold weekend in Amsterdam, and on Valentine’s evening we took the tram to a cosy little restaurant. Towards the end of a lovely meal the conversation returned to our stressful airport experience, and after my boyfriend seemed reluctant to discuss it I started to get annoyed. We sat on the tram back to our hotel in silence, and it was snowing heavily. When we got back to the hotel, he pulled out a beautiful engagement ring and all became clear when he told me that he’d suddenly become worried that the ring, which had been hidden in his trouser pocket, would set off the alarm as we went through airport security and that the surprise would be ruined – he’d gone to the back of the queue and waited until I was out of sight! I said ‘Yes’ and we were married in 2000. Every Valentine’s Day my husband gives me a bunch of beautiful tulips as a wonderful reminder of our special day 15 years ago.
Melanie – Engaged February 1999 / Married June 2000
Whisk her away
I had no clue at all!! We were in Paris, on a weekend away with friends. My boyfriend managed to get the ring through security in his hand luggage without me having a clue. Then when we went out for lunch on our own he got down on one knee in the restaurant and proposed. I of course said yes, everyone around cheered and we had a wonderful rest of the weekend celebrating with our friends. I couldn’t stop grinning, and it still brings an instant smile to my face. One year after the proposal, we went back to Paris as a married couple… a really thoughtful wedding present given to us.
Helen – Engaged November 2007 / Married August 2008
Good luck if you’re going to pop the question soon and congratulations if you’ve already put a ring on it. Take a look at our romantic Pinterest board if you’re looking for more inspiration for your special day.
by Hanami Dream | 14, January, 2015 | blog, traditions
One of my friends recently inherited something really precious. I think it’s more valuable than jewels or antique furniture. This heirloom is a time capsule. A priceless glimpse throughout the ages. A lovely family photo album that belonged to her father’s godmother.
The album covers weddings, christenings, graduations and some pictures of trips to visit friends and family. It charts these special occasions from the 1940s up to the 1990s and she arranged the pages so there is a wedding photo of a couple, and then a picture of the same couple at their child’s christening, graduation and often their children’s weddings too. It was clearly something that she treasured to keep all that time and to keep updating.
Whilst I don’t know any of the people in the album (apart from my friend), you can clearly see a family resemblance between the people on each page. More strikingly is how much each wedding photo is a time capsule for dresses (material, styles, length and colours) along with bouquets, veils and hair styles. They are an exaggerated example of fashion trends of their day and epitomise moments in time. We find that some decades have common trends such as:
1920s – Flapper style low waist, straight, flowing, lace dresses showing a bit of ankle. Bob hair cuts with hair accessories and head pieces.
1930s – Slim-hipped, long, simple, column dresses made from beaded, luxe fabrics, often with lavish embellishments.
1940s – War time shortages led to non-rationed net curtain or parachute silk, full skirted dresses. Or nice skirt suits. Big bouquets and wedding bands for absent husbands.
1950s – Rising hemlines and shorter veils meant shoes were more important. Sweetheart necklines, under lace, full skirted, small waisted, tea length dresses worn with gloves.
1960s – High waisted, empire line or A line mini dresses plus pill box hats with veils.
1970s – Hippy style, long sleeved, high necked, longer length dresses. Or trouser suits with big floppy hats.
1980s – Fairy tale, voluminous, princess gowns with puff sleeves and long trains worn with floral crowns.
1990s – Corseted off the shoulder dresses with full skirts vs bias cut, sheath dresses.
2000s – Strapless, sleeveless dresses.
2010s – Figure hugging, illusion backed, mermaid style dresses vs Hollywood split or pick up skirts.
We’ve captured some of these characteristics of wedding attire for each decade on our wedding time capsule Pinterest board. Plus there’s currently an exhibition running (until 15 March 2015) at the V&A in London that’s well worth a visit. It’s called Wedding Dresses 1175-2014 and looks at 300 years of bridal fashions.
What’s interesting is that trends tend to come back around again. And this decade seems to be about picking what style you want from the past and merging things together to bring your own dream to life. I, for one, really wanted a big bouquet just like my late grandmother had at her wedding in 1948. 
Plus a long train and long veil like a 1980s princess but strapless, figure hugging with a pick up style skirt as is common in this millennium.
It is strange looking back at some pictures from the recent past as the ones from the 1980s and 90s seem dated, whilst ones from the 1940s or 50s look relatively tasteful by comparison and more unaligned with current styles. Are some eras too recent for us to be able to appreciate for inspiration yet? Or is it that black and white photos are kinder? In any case our children will no doubt look back at our wedding photos and laugh at the fashions of the day. One thing that really struck my friend was the poignancy of the wedding photos from during or just after the war in the photo album. We can not imagine what it must have been like to live through a world war as a young couple, separated from each other.
There’s certainly something special and different about having photos from all the weddings and special occasions you’ve ever been to in your life together in one album. Nowadays digital photography often means that we don’t even print out any photos. Considering that for many, big occasions (like weddings and christenings) are the only times when people see their extended family. So it seems fitting that these momentous occasions are captured in time to pass to others as a wonderful time capsule.
Timeless. Captured. Memories.
by Hanami Dream | 29, December, 2014 | blog
We hope you’ve had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas. For us, December is such a special month as not only are there Christmas festivities but lots of family birthdays to mark and share including our son’s, our nephew’s and my grandad’s 91st this year.
At this between and betwixt part of the month, many people take the time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the brand new year ahead. It’s a popular time to book holidays, make resolutions, kick start a new health regime and think about personal special occasions that are coming up.
Next year is going to give us plenty of reasons to celebrate as a nation with the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta, a solar eclipse in March, a new royal baby and the Rugby World Cup taking place in England in the autumn. Plus anniversaries in relation to Sir Winston Churchill will include the 50th anniversary of his death, the 75th anniversary of his first becoming Prime Minister, and the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. In the world of popular music, 2015 will also see the 25th anniversary of Take That, 15 years of Atomic Kitten and it would have seen the 70th and 80th birthdays of musical legends Bob Marley and Elvis Presley respectively.
Maybe you’ve got your own personal celebration in 2015. Perhaps you’re expecting a 
baby like Kate & William and will mark this new arrival with a baby shower or a christening. Other babies due to famous faces in 2015 include:
- Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher
- Liv Tyler and Dave Gardner
- Shakira and Gerard Pique
- Rebecca Adlington and Harry Needs
- Dawn O’Porter and Chris O’Dowd
- Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake
- Keira Knightley and James Righton
- Abbey Clancy and Peter Crouch
Perhaps your children are a little older and you’ll be celebrating their graduation from university or marking their coming of age with a special party (like Harry Styles, Justin Bieber and Tom Daley who will all reach their 21st birthdays in 2015).
Congratulations if you got engaged over the festive season (or if you’re already 
engaged) and are planning an engagement party and/or wedding in the new year. Here are some famous engaged couples we think could make it up the aisle in 2015 and we’re sure their special days would influence wedding trends:
- Declan Donnelly and Ali Astall
- Geri Halliwell and Christian Horner
- Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter
- Peter Andre and Emily Macdonagh
- Kimberley Walsh and Justin Scott
- Christine Bleakley and Frank Lampard
- Andy Murray and Kim Sears
- Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden
Or maybe 2015 will give you the opportunity to renew your vows, celebrate an anniversary, mark your retirement or enjoy a special milestone birthday with the important people in your life. Some famous faces turning 30 next year are Lewis Hamilton and Keira Knightley. Whilst David Beckham, Angelina Jolie, Declan Donnelly and Anthony McPartlin will be celebrating their 40th birthdays. Other big birthdays include JK Rowling and Craig Revel-Horwood’s 50th; Rowan Atkinson and Bruno Tonioli’s 60th; Henry Winkler (The Fonz) and Tom Selleck’s 70th; and Sean Connery’s 85th.
Whatever you’re celebrating in 2015, we wish you a very Happy New Year.
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Photography by Farrow Photography
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