Wednesday 31 August 2011

Bristol Wedding Suppliers Tweet Up Networking Event

Next Wednesday, 7th September, approximately 50 of Bristol's Wedding Suppliers will be meeting at Goldbrick House for a Tweet Up organised by The Little Wedding Helper.

Tweet Ups are a chance for suppliers who chat regulary on Twitter to meet up and put some faces to the names they follow. Steph Allison from How 2 I Do Wedding Planning, who attended the last event said

"I really enjoyed the last Tweet Up and I have made some really great contacts as a result, some of which are now good friends. As a self employed Wedding business I don't have any colleagues or a water cooler to chat around, so Twitter has been a great way to meet people and promote my business within the Industry."

Here's a few images form the last Tweet Up, which were taken by West Weddings. You can read their report here


                             


                              

So why not come along, bring some business cards and make some new contacts. It will be held in the Champagne Bar from 6pm to 9pm.

Photo Credit: West Wedding Blog

Tuesday 30 August 2011

Wedding Ideas Magazine 100th Issue Party

Last Thursday saw Somerset County Cricket Ground adorned with hundreds of hot pink and black balloons to celebrate 100 issues of Wedding Ideas Magazine. It was a glamorous affair with many of Wedding Ideas Magazines, staff, friends, family and clients turning up to help them celebrate.


                                                     Wedding Ideas Magazine

The rain couldn't dampen guests spirits as they arrived at the venue to be met by paparazzi madly snapping their arrival. Once inside they were warmly greeted by Wedding Ideas Magazines Founder and Publisher Rachel Southwood and Advertising Sales Manager Pippa Ward, who both looked gorgeous and can be seen enjoying the brilliant photo booth below.


                                                


Upstairs guests enjoyed a glass of bubbly overlooking the cricket ground while Rachel and some of the team (or Herd as they are affectionately known, due to the magazine being published by Giraffe Media), made some emotional speeches.

Robbie Performs with Take That 2

Proceedings then moved downstairs for a full Wedding disco experience complete with fun photo booth, tasty buffet, delicious cupcakes from Ice Maiden Cakes and tribute act, Take That 2 who performed a selection of Take That's greatest hits.



Bristol Wedding Suppliers (L-R)  Bridezillas Ltd, The Little Wedding
Helper, The Wedding Reporter & How 2 I Do Wedding Planning

The fantastic photo booth was supplied by Groovy Booth and Bristol Wedding News reported on these fantastic photo booths back in June as a great way to entertain your guests. They add so much fun to any occasion and the photos are guaranteed to make you giggle, months and probably years later.


                                  

Congratulations to all the team at Wedding Ideas for reaching 100 issues. Thanks for a fantastic evening and I look forward to issue 100 hitting the shelves soon.

Credits: Photo Booth pictures courtesy of  Groovy Booth Facebook Page, Magazine Image taken from The Green Gables


Monday 29 August 2011

September Dates for your Diary

As September approaches, here's a few key dates in the world of Bristol Weddings

Bristol Tweet Up: Wednesday 7th September, Goldbrick House, Park Street, Bristol 6pm to 9pm. A chance for Bristol Wedding Suppliers to network and talk Weddings. Organised by The Little Wedding Helper, Kirsten Butler. See more about this in a special post on Wednesday.

A Brides Affair: Sunday 11th September Combe House, Bridgwater 10am to 3pm.


                                                      A Brides Affair – Combe House, Holfold

World of Weddings: Sunday 11th September, Holiday Inn Filton, Bristol. Free parking. Free glass of wine or squash for visitors. Brides also receive free free chocolate and wedding magazines. Fashion shows at 12 noon and 14:30. Over 75 stands.

Wedding World: Sunday 18th September Marriott Bristol (City Centre/Cabot Circus). Over 100 stands and two fashion shows. Free glass of wine or squash for visitors. Brides also receive free wedding magazines and free chocolate! Fashion shows at 12:30 and 15:00

Win free entry to both World of Weddings and Wedding World here

Autumn Wedding Fayre at Ston Easton Park - 25th September 11am - 4pm. Free entry, complimentary drinks and luxury goodie bags for first 100 brides/couples.

Friday 26 August 2011

A Fun Night Out at the Swirls and Curls Cupcake Workshop

This week I was lucky enough to attend a cupcake decorating workshop in Henleaze, held by the lovely Kim from Swirls and Curls Cupcakes. I thought that this workshop would be ideal for Brides to Be to learn how to make their own cupcakes for either fun favours for their Big Day or to stack up in a tower instead of a traditional cake.

What really amazed me is how easy to follow the course was and how professional my cakes looked at the end. My Husband will testify to the fact that I'm not a skilled baker but look at what I made!




The workshop begins with making the little decorations for our cakes out of pink and blue fondant, which is surprisingly easy due to a range of templates and cutters. I love the little butterflies and flowers we made and think they look so pretty and professional.



After a cuppa and the chance to sample a cupcake, we moved on to learning how to ice the cakes. We began with learning how to pipe a rose onto a cake. I mananged a pretty good rose first time, but it seemed to be beginners luck as they went down hill from there! A few attempts later, I had some pretty good looking cakes.




We piped some more in chocolate icing and learnt how to do pretty two tone effect and a whippy topping. At the end we put all of our handy work together with some edible glue and a flourish of glitter and here's the results. Not bad if I do say so myself.



Sue Davies, who attended the workshop with her friend Sarah said "It was great fun and easier than I imagined. You get a great result and the cakes look really good. You can try again with no pressure and it's really helpful. The workshop was very enjoyable and I would throughly recommend it"





Lynwen Evans, added "It's highly recommended, a thoroughly enjoyable evening meeting different people with the same interests and learning new techniques."

My piping partner for the evening Claire Gallagher said "it was an enjoyable evening creating some exciting cakes". Thanks Claire for helping me and many thanks to Kim and her Mum Sue who helped make the evening such fun. Here we all are proudly holding our finished designs.



So for a great night out, look at Kim's website. There are two workshops available to book on Monday 26th September and Monday 24th October for £50 per person, including a starter pack to take home.

Thursday 25 August 2011

Wedding Ideas Magazine Celebrates Issue 100

Tonight some of the biggest names in the UK Wedding Industry will be heading down to Taunton, dressed to the nines in black and pink for a party to help Wedding Ideas Magazine celebrate sending their 100th issue to the publishers. Issue 100 will be hitting the shelves in a few weeks with a gorgeous sparkly pink cover.


                                 

When I was a Bride to Be, Wedding Ideas Magazine was always one of my favourite Wedding Magazines due to it's array of real Weddings and it's realistic approach to planning a Wedding. Some Wedding magazines only show you dresses costing £6000 or jewellery starting at £300 but Wedding Ideas is unique and different, hence it's success. It's also packed with great features to help you pick themes, jewellery,dresses and hen party ideas, which are all so useful.

                                   


It's amazing when you realise that the inspirational Founder of Wedding Ideas, Rachel Southwood launched Wedding Ideas from her back bedroom in 2004 and it's now one of the UK's most popular Wedding magazines with over 30,000 readers. So happy issue 100 Wedding Ideas and keep up the great work! Read more about the story of Wedding Ideas on their blog.

Photos: Marianne Taylor Photography

Wednesday 24 August 2011

Venue Spotlight: SS Great Britain

One great thing about getting married in Bristol is the huge choice of venues and there's not many cities in the UK where you can say I Do on an historic ship. The SS Great Britain was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and was first launched from Bristol in 1843. Whilst in service she travelled around the world 31 times before eventually mooring in the Falklands.

She was brought back home to Bristol in the 1970s where she was carefully conserved in the same dry dock she was built in all those years ago. I think the incredible history of the ship makes it a venue worth consideration for any Bristol Brides.


                                           


                                           

Ceremonies for up to 70 can take place in the Promenade Deck, which could be followed by drink and canapes on deck and a reception in the first class dining saloon for up to 140 guests. These photos from Jefferson Studios above show a ceremony aboard the ship.

The great black and white shot below from Iris Weddings shows off the ceremony space beautifully

                                   Brunel's ss Great Britain Jules & Mike

You can learn more about the ship's fascinating history, as well as download a Wedding brochure here

Tuesday 23 August 2011

Win Free Entry for two to Wedding World and the World of Weddings Fair

We are delighted to be able to offer entry to two of Bristol's biggest Wedding fairs absolutely free of charge. We have 15 sets of tickets, each admitting two people to both World of Weddings and Wedding World, which take place in Bristol in September.

To win a set of free tickets to both fairs for both you and your partner, worth £8.00 you just need to answer the following simple question.

How many stands are at Wedding World (Bristol Marriott City Centre)

A) 100
B) 80
C) 90

Email us your answer, either A, B or C with the message subject "Free Wedding Fair". Please include your name and postal address so that we can send your tickets. Entries close on Friday 3rd September or when all tickets have been given away and the first 15 people to answer correctly will be sent their tickets on the 5th September. Check our Wedding Fair page for updates on how many tickets are left.


                                   

World of Weddings takes place at the Holiday Inn in Filton on Sunday 11th September. There will be 75 stands, plus fashion show at 12 noon and 2:30pm. This show also features Bristol Wedding Singer, Dave Dean plus free wedding magazines, parking and free wine for all visitors.


 

The following weekend sees Wedding World take place at the Bristol Marriott Hotel (City centre, near Cabot Circus). This is one of Bristol biggest shows with 100 stands and also features two fashion shows at 12:30pm and 3:00pm. Those attending will also receive free Wedding magazines, and a complimentary glass of wine.

For more information on both shows, visit the Wedding World website.





Monday 22 August 2011

Real Bristol Wedding at Leigh Court

We are delighted that Bristol Wedding Photographer Howard from Howard Keith Photography decided to share this gorgeous Wedding with us. It is the Wedding of Tanu Bhat and Steve Clareboets, from Bristol. The couple got married in India in early June, with a ceremony that stretched over several days and included well over 300 hundred guests. 






The English side of the wedding took place only a few days later at Leigh Court on Saturday 18th June. There were more than 120 guests that included four bridesmaids, Nicki, Sanji, Roohika and Sita. The weather was a typical British summer's day mixture of sunshine and showers.








Our favourite shot has to be these stunning portraits of Tanu and we think you'll agree that she makes an absolutely beautiful Bride. Our warmest congratulations to Tanu and Steve and thank you to Howard Keith Photography for sharing their special day.






If you are a Bristol Bride or photographer, please submit your Weddings to us to share. We will include any stylish Weddings that match the look and feel of the blog. Email them to enquiries@bristolweddingnews.co.uk.

Friday 19 August 2011

Venue Spotlight: Have your Reception Anywhere with a Wedding Yurt

If you are looking for something a bit different in terms of a Wedding Venue or you dream about spending your Wedding night "glamping" under the stars, then read on. Wedding Yurts allow you total flexibility in choosing your reception venue as they can be used in your garden, in a field or in the grounds of an existing Wedding Venue. They can also provide accommodation for you or your guests.



 These stunning shots were taken at Maunsell House by  Antonia Wozencraft, the styling by the girls at Ava Event Styling and the wedding dresses, shoes and jewellery by the Wedding Club.




Here's what Lizzie from Wedding Yurts has to say about this brilliant new concept,

My partner James and I have recently launched our new business Wedding Yurts here in Bristol. Our wedding yurts have been designed to host intimate wedding receptions and are the perfect alternative to a traditional marquee. The yurts are hand~crafted out of sweet chestnut wood, covered in cream canvas and really enhance any special event. The Wedding Yurts can be podded together to create a unique space with the capacity to sit fifty guests for a wedding reception or seventy guests dancing and lounging at the wedding party.

The 20ft yurt can be used for a party with a 12ft yurt attached for the bar and another 12ft yurt the kitchen, or a 20ft yurt for hosting a banquet with a kitchen yurt or crèche attached.
Our boutique yurt accommodation is luxurious and we have a honeymoon yurt beautifully decorated for a magical wedding night under the stars.

We have a mobile kitchen which can be set up inside the 12ft yurt, wooden dance floors, furniture, sound system, lighting, soft furnishings and decorations, we also know lots of very talented and creative people to help create your special day.



The yurts are wonderfully versatile and can be erected inside or outdoors, in a field, a garden or your chosen wedding venue, a unique venue ideal for celebrations and intimate gatherings.
We deliver all around the country and depending on what you hire determines what mode of transport we use. In the yurts Mongolian homeland, the Mongols would load the yurts onto the backs of two camels! fortunately we are lucky to have four wheels.

Personally I love yurts because they are beautiful and perfectly designed to create a circular structure with extraordinary stability and a feeling of spaciousness. A tent which is almost a house, I love the fact they can be erected almost anywhere, in secret locations in the woods, near a beach, in a park or simply in your back garden offering a private, warm, beautiful space to share with friends and family. 



 I love the big wooden doors and most of all the window located right at the top in the centre of the roof letting the sunlight flood in during the day and at night time is perfect for viewing the stars. Traditionally the central wheel was called the eye to heaven and the brides dowry would almost always include a yurt.

The yurts can also be erected indoors transforming a space, making a square room round and dome like, we have strings of golden l.e.d lights to decorate the ceiling which looks and feels magical.

For more information contact Lizzie by email or visit the Wedding Yurts website




Thursday 18 August 2011

Trend Alert Lace Wedding Theme

Lace has always been popular for Wedding Dresses but with Vintage themes becoming more and more fashionable and with the Duchess of Cambridge's choice to include lace in her dress and veil it is a huge trend in the making. Even the doily which you probably associate with your Nan can be used in a lace Wedding theme to place flower arrangements on.

Here's some great lace inspired looks taken from Bristol Wedding Planner How 2 I Do's Wedding Inspiration Boards on Pinterest, which you can see in full here. Here's the dress that must have in part inspired Kate Middleton's dress. The Beautiful Princess Grace of Monaco on her Wedding day to Prince Rainier.

                                                              Grace

You can use lace in all aspects of your decoration from invitations to table centerpieces. For flowers that match a lace theme, you can't get much lacier than Gypsophilia or Baby's Breath. These pictures show how pretty it can look in a lace wrapped vase courtesy of stylemepretty.com and in large ball displays by Cecilia Fox


             
                             Gypsophilia or baby breath the laciest of flowers       babies breath pom poms

It would be really easy to use lace in a DIY Wedding. You could easily recreate the lace wrapped jars and bottles shown below, also on stylemepretty.com. Hobbycraft is great for picking up jam jars, bottles and materials to make your own decorations. There is a large Hobbycraft at Cribbs Causeway and they have an excellent Bridal area with three aisles worth of DIY Wedding bits and pieces from flowers to favours.

                                                                   


                                                   centerpieces

Lace can also feature on your cake as this gorgeous picture from Martha Stewart Weddings shows

                                                     

We also love these lace covered invitations from http://www.dizzidezine.com.au/. So if you need a theme, give some consideration to lace and you could end up with one very pretty Wedding.

                                                             

 

Wednesday 17 August 2011

Star Treatment for Smiles


One thing all Brides want on their Wedding is a pefect smile to give them confidence in their photographs. Local businesswoman Donna Brown has been telling us about her new venture, which is bringing a touch of Hollywood glamour to Bristol.

Donna  has invested in the latest laser technology for her new teeth-whitening venture. Called Bright White Smiles, the new clinic is on Great George Street, just off Park Street.​   
   

Bright idea: Donna Brown has invested in the latest laser technology for her venture Bright White Smiles

Donna, along with clinic manager Clare Shuttleworth, plans to brighten the smiles of Bristol people by using a revolutionary laser treatment that has taken the US market by storm. Unlike traditional methods, the technique used by Bright White Smiles involves high-intensity Cool Blue Light, which activates a whitening gel that is placed on the customer's teeth.

Ms Brown said: "We can't emphasise how revolutionary this new treatment is for the teeth-whitening sector. Before now, teeth-whitening was considered only affordable for celebrity A-listers. However, with more people wanting to look their best, the arrival of this technology has made treatments like this affordable."



She added: "This treatment is safe, quick and convenient so has appeal to a wide range of people. Business people, brides and grooms-to-be, those going for a job interview or people who just want to improve their smile."

So if you want a pearly white smile for your Big Day, take a look a the Bright White Smile website

Tuesday 16 August 2011

Aspirational Wedding Fayres this Autumn

Aspirational Weddings have been in touch to share all of the latest news about their Autumn Weddings Fayres, which begin in September. Here's the details and some key dates for your diary.

Autumn Wedding Fayre at Ston Easton Park - 25th September 11am - 4pm. Free entry, complimentary drinks and luxury goodie bags for first 100 brides/couples.

                                          


Autumn Wedding Fayre at The Manor in Somerset - 16th October 11am - 4pm.  Free entry, complimentary drinks and luxury goodie bags for first 100 brides/couples.

                                           

Autumn Wedding Fayre at The Hill, Stroud - 23rd October 11am - 4pm.  Free entry, complimentary drinks and luxury goodie bags for first 100 brides/couples.



                                  


South West Region Aspirational Weddings Show at Cheltenham Racecourse - 20th November 11am - 4pm. Advance tickets available from the Apirational Weddings website, with special offers.



You can learn more about each of the fayres on the Aspirational Weddings Website and don't forget to keep an eye on our Wedding Fairs page for all the latest Bristol and local fairs.

Monday 15 August 2011

Swirls and Curls Cupcakes

Cupcakes are everywhere these days and they are a Wedding trend that is certainly here to stay. Kim from Swirls and Curls contacted us recently to tell us about her gorgeous cupcakes and after browsing her website and facebook page, we had to show you some of her ever so pretty cakes. We especially love the ice cream cone cupcakes below. They are so original and fun and would make brilliant favours for a summer Wedding.


                                        


If you want the more traditional cupcake tower, here is an example of Kim's work below. This can make a great alternative to the traditional Wedding cake and means your guests can each have a cake to eat or take home.

                                                        

What we really love is the beautiful piping and decoration on these cakes. If you want to find out how to decorate your own cupcakes, Swirls and Curls also offer great workshops where you can learn a fun new skill. How pretty are the purple cakes below, especially the rose effect piping and gorgeous bow.



Kim was kind enough to send us a sample of her cakes to try and I am happy to report that the 4 cakes we received tasted every bit as good as they looked, with delicious moist sponge and heavenly chocolate icing. They were all beautifully presented, topped off with pretty bows, butterflies, flowers and edible glitter.


 

Take a look at the Swirls and Curls website and facebook page to see more examples of what's on offer.

Visit Sweet & Pretty Weddings