John Lewis has always been close to my heart, in fact to most Brits it’s pretty much an institution upon which we’ve always relied on. From picking up my first pair of knitting needles for a school project, to getting those navy, leather Mary-Jane school shoes we all wore, and in more recent years bulk-buying cotton sleep suits for my own children, John Lewis has always been there for me.
Apart from that familial reliability – and those heart-wrenching Christmas ads – the other major association most people make with John Lewis has to be the infamous you-can’t-go-wrong wedding gift list. And again, trusty JL was there for me at one of life’s most important milestones.
But what you may not realise is just how much “wedding” they actually have within those beautifully curated floors.
It really is a bridal cornucopia, an Aladdin’s cave. From occasion wear, gifts, stationery, haberdashery, decorations, fizz and make up, there’s no doubt about it — when it comes to weddings – John Lewis is ALL over it.
And because it’s so trustworthy and established, it manages to keep everybody happy. There’s something for every kind of couple, whether you’re seeking classical big day perfection or a quirkier, more offbeat feel.
Haberdashery / Wedding Craft
For me, where John Lewis really stands out is as THE home of haberdashery. And for those who think haberdashery is just a few different types of buttons, think again.
John Lewis has an unmatched range of ribbons, silks, embroidery, braids, fabrics, zips and, yes, buttons. But also an incredible range of wedding craft and accessories — its the place where you can pick up the floral corsages, buntings and all the add-ons to bring your big day vision to life, no matter how creative.
And they also have really cool decorative bits and pieces that can totally liven up your home long after your big day is over. How gorgeous is the East of India range? And take a look at these Rico Alphabet Decor letters — they’d be just as fab on a shelf in your hallway, as they would be placed next to a guest book at the wedding.
DIY Craft Tutorials
Not only do John Lewis supply the materials you need, they also provides a host of brilliant DIY wedding craft ideas — from table plans to making your own invitations — for a unique and handmade element for your special day.
And of course being John Lewis, the clarity of these ideas – what you need and how to do it – is impeccable.
I absolutely love this ladder table plan idea. It’s the sort of thing that if you’re not “crafty” you’d coo over on Pinterest, then move on, because that’s what other people create, not you. But think again – just look at the simple list of “ingredients” and the step by step (quite literally in this case) assembly guide.
But even if that is too adventurous – how about you try your hand at making your own favour bags? Rope your best girls to join the assembly line around your kitchen table and add bubbles. Perfect! Guests will totally love the creative energy and thought you’ve put into their gifts and you’ll have had lots of fun in the process.
Wedding Fashion and Mother-of-The-Bride
Finding the perfect, immortalised-in-a-wedding-album-forever outfit is not just the concern of the bride for the big day. Making sure the groom, best man, bridesmaids and pageboys look and feel just right – whether it is a traditional wedding, or one a little more contemporary – is the goal and I really think John Lewis have this covered too.
For the guests, there is also ample choice. And, we all know, that as important as the bride is on the big day, that finding the perfect outfit for the second most significant lady of the day – the mother of the bride — is just as important. Here, John Lewis comes into its own. It offers designer brands, respectability, tradition, choice and a safe pair of hands — everything to take away any further stress. And typical of their amazing service, they offer a complimentary in-house personal styling service to help her navigate the rails for that stand-out number.
Chuppah ideas
The chuppah is one of the elements of your Jewish wedding where you can be as creative and original as you like (Gena & Tony’s ribbon-clad, pom pom-adorned chuppah below, is a great example of letting your imagination run wild with your chuppah design!)
If you are after an unusual and imaginative chuppah structure, John Lewis provides everything from artificial flowers to gold dipped feathers, pom poms and multicoloured ribbons — the lot!
Gift List
Putting together a Gift List from more than 350,000 branded and John Lewis own brand products is pretty easy and super exciting. You can finally get that Kate Spade New York tableware you’ve always wanted… have the time of your life and get zapping!
You can also add honeymoon or charity contributions to your list and you can never go wrong giving or requesting John Lewis vouchers. The benefit of requesting vouchers is that you can put them towards larger items for building up your home – that much coveted Eames armchair for example, or a statement sofa from their Scandi range. And with their free home delivery and their Never Knowingly Undersold commitment, you can build your list with complete peace of mind.
Returns
With the best will — and organisation – in the world you are going to end up with a duplicated present, or one you never asked for or no longer want. One of the reasons I chose John Lewis for my gift list was that its so easy and hassle-free to return stuff if you change your mind. With that famous John Lewis service and free home delivery, you always feel so very looked after, and you know that your wishes come first.
Whether your vibe is whimsical and enchanted, super slick, shabby chic, or quirky cool – John Lewis is the one stop shop for your wedding. What do I think of when I think of John Lewis? Solid, comforting, always there, and delightfully surprising – just like a good marriage…
