Before I start, a warning. HRNK! YOU MAY BE OFFENDED BY THIS BLOG. I say this, because I’m pretty sure that by just bringing up the very subject I am about to tackle, I could well offend at least twelve people I know – and that’s just off the top of my head. So, apologies. But here goes…
 
I want to talk twee. Weddings are, obvs, pretty twee in their very nature – you know, going all gushy about someone else infront of loads of people you know and celebrating love and that. And, seen as I’m planning on doing that next year then I am totally down with the tweeness of it all; the idea of having a big old love in and celebrating that fact that me and my boyfriend actually think we can put up with each other for the rest of our lives. That, I can – and can’t wait – to do. But then there is the other sort of twee – the Cath Kidston-y, vintage-y twee that seems to be the big wedding trend of the moment. And – specifically – the b-word. Yes: bunting.
 
Bunting is . The Great British Bake Off uses yards and yards of it; pretty much every hipster tea room in the East End is decorated with it. It pops up at retro afternoon tea parties; 30th birthdays – and, of course weddings. Tons of ‘em. Thing is, I think it looks pretty, I really do. And I like the idea that it can be made from something you really love (old clothes/curtains/whatever) by someone you really love. And that it is do-able, and inexpensive. But then.. a friend posed a question that I just can’t get out of my head. Is bunting the new cupcakes?
 
You know; overdone, cutesty, a bit (whisper it) naff. Has what started as a nice idea turned into a bit of a monster? Was the royal wedding the turning point? Is it a retro obsession too far? And am I going to lose loads of friends who’ve had bunting at their wedding by saying this? (Probably).
 
Either way, I’m just not sure. Maybe I’ll go retro mad and cover the venue – and myself – in bunting. Or maybe not. But I’d love to know what you think about it…
 
- Laura Atkinson