Tuesday 3 December 2013

Christmas Shopping Ideas

Christmas at the Orangery


If you are looking for some unique and beautiful Christmas gifts for your loved ones, then don't miss Christmas at the Orangery this Saturday 7th December. The annual event is run by Rachel Goodchild who designs beautiful wrapping paper and greetings cards as well as designing stylish blogs in her guise as The Wedding Blog Designer.

Rachel's Wedding contacts have meant that lots of Bristol's top Wedding suppliers will be there, plus a range of hand selected local business selling design led Christmas gifts. The event will also raise money for Penny Brohn Cancer Care with a percentage of the £1 entrance fee being donated to the charity.

                                            

There will be festive styling by The Little Wedding helper and a fun photo booth by Lizzy May Wedding Photography and Design. This year there will be a delicious cafe on site with coffee and cake served on china from Auntie's Vintage 

offering range of drinks and festive lunches and snacks to hungry Christmas shoppers. The event will take place at Bradbury Hall in Henleaze from 10am to 5pm


Find out more about the fabulous event here or watch this video of last year to see what to expect.

Image courtesy of Rachel Gooldchild: Christmas at the Orangery

Thursday 24 October 2013

The Little Wedding Space

If you're bored of traditional wedding fairs  and want to see the work of some of Bristol's finest wedding suppliers in one place, then you need to head to Clifton Village this weekend to visit The Little Wedding Space.

                             

                             


                             


Created by venue stylist Kirsten Butler, The Little Wedding Helper and wedding photographer Ruth Garner, The Little Wedding Space brings together a wealth of local talent covering wedding planning, sweet tables, stationery, flowers, cakes and much more.

                             

                             

                             

Find out more about the suppliers, location and dates by visiting www.thelittleweddingspace.co.uk

Friday 30 August 2013

Vintage Wedding Fair

This Sunday the gorgeous orangery at Goldney Hall will be packed with top vintage wedding suppliers. The fair opens at 11am and all proceeds from the £1 entry fee go to Breast Cancer UK.




Thursday 8 August 2013

Venue Spotlight: Arnos Vale

A cemetery might not be top of your list of romantic locations, but if you are looking for a wedding venue in Bristol, then don't rule out Arnos Vale.


                                                     FTP-Anglican-Reception-2

Steeped in local history and with two stunning locations for civil ceremonies and Anglican ceremonies, there is lots of choice and flexibility. The Spielman Centre can hosts civil ceremonies and receptions and the attached cafe and terrace makes a great chill out area and bar for your guests.


                                                      FTP-Anglican-Cake-and-Bride

The Anglican Chapel can host wedding ceremonies as well as offer space for a sit down meal if you marry in the Spielman Centre. The chapel is neutral and a real blank canvas for you to decorate.


                                        1058-017A3

The food is provided by Whisk! who cater exclusively for all weddings and offer a wide choice of food from bangers and mash to buffets, tagines and curries.

                                        FrancesTaylorPhotography ArnosVale002

The cemetery really is a fascinating place and has a very calm and serene atmosphere rather than feeling cold or sombre. It really suits weddings and as you enter the Chapel it's really no different to walking through a graveyard for a church wedding.

If you are looking for a unique historical wedding venue, then make sure to have a look around and make up your own mind. I think you'll fall in love and if you do marry there you'll support the work to restore and maintain an important part of Bristol's heritage. Visit the website for more information www.arnosvale.org.uk

Images Courtesy of Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust


Friday 12 July 2013

Why Book On the Day Wedding Coordination

This summer has been my busiest ever so far (hence a bit of a lack of blog posts!). As well as lots of candy buffets and jam jar wedding favours, my on the day wedding coordination service has been very popular and I'm, getting lots of bookings through for 2014 too.

Many couples initially rule out a wedding planner as an American fad or something only celebrities use. However in reality a wedding planner is perfect for both those planning huge expensive weddings and those planning low cost DIY ones.

   



If you're planning a DIY wedding, you may have chosen somewhere like a village hall with a reasonable hire charge to hold your wedding. This means there's no dedicated wedding coordinator to manage all of the suppliers you have booked and no-one to decorate your venue and make sure things run smoothly.

On the Day Coordination also suits those with busy lives, who don't want to spend the last six weeks before the wedding running around contacting suppliers, finalising details and staying up late decorating the venue the night before.

On the day wedding coordination starts from £350 and includes

Before The Wedding

Complimentary Initial Consultation
Detailed consultation 6 weeks before wedding
Liaison and confirmation with all suppliers prior to wedding
Creation of detailed wedding day checklist and timeline
Contingency planning

  


On The Wedding Day

Arrival at 9am to decorate and greet suppliers
Room set up and decoration
Coordination of suppliers
Full management of the day
Assisting guests
Any announcements required
Any small jobs needed like keeping things tidy and packing up hired items

If you would like to assistance of a wedding planner or think that on the day coordination could help you, please contact Steph from Sweet & Pretty Weddings or visit my website

Wednesday 12 June 2013

A Pretty Lace Candy Buffet

Sorry it's been a bit quiet on here. Busy wedding season is well under way meaning more time spent working on weddings rather than blogging about them. Whilst I have been busy the blog has reached over 100,000 page views which is fantastic news. Thanks to everyone who has read and supported the blog since it started.

I just wanted to share a gorgeous candy buffet I did in Romsey, Southampton this weekend. I was working alongside The Little Wedding Helper who styled the cocktail marquee for Nirisha and Suchin's Asian Wedding. It's the biggest wedding I have ever been involved with with over 470 guests. Nirisha wanted a very vintage feel with lots of pretty lace, soft pastels and vintage props.





Here's a few pictures from the candy buffet. The stunning flowers are by Emma Norton and the shabby chic bureau can be hired as a dessert table, sweet table or cake table.





If you'd like something similar for your wedding, please do get in touch by email or visit my website for more information.

Wednesday 29 May 2013

Venue Spotlight: St George's Bristol

Today let's take a look at a real hidden gem of a wedding venue in Bristol. St George's Bristol in an historic listed building nestling on a hillside between Park Street and Brandon Hill. Originally a church built in the Greek Revival Style in the early 19th Century, St George's Church lost popularity and was saved in the 70s by the St George's Music Trust.

                             
                         
                         

                                         


Today it flourishes as a thriving music venue hosting concerts and events. It also lends itself beautifully to weddings due to the large hall (the former church) which can seat up to 200 for a sit down meal. The stone walled crypt offers a fantastic art filled bar and if the weather permits guests can be greeted with drinks and canapes in the gorgeous grounds that surround the building.


                        

                       Wedding receptions at St George's Bristol

The food is provided by Goldbrick House who offer a wide choice of catering options and from 2014 there will be even more choice for couples. Drinks are provided in house with the bar offering a wide choice of options as well as a pop up bar in the hall.

There are lots of hidden treasures in the hall and the grounds. A star in the ceiling marks where a world war two bomb crashed through the roof onto the alter and luckily did not explode and the grounds are full of hidden plaques and benches depicting poetic inscriptions inspired by music.

                         Ian-Hamilton-Finlay-public-sculpture-02

                         Ian-Hamilton-Finlay-public-sculpture-04

If you are looking for a gorgeous Bristol wedding venue then St George's should be added to your must see list. If you'd like to arrange a viewing,  please contact Louise Orchard by email. or call 0117 929 4929.


Monday 20 May 2013

Gatsby Wedding Inspiration

The Great Gatsby has just been released starring Leonardo di Caprio as the mysterious Jay Gatsby and Carey Mulligan as the love of his life Daisy Buchanon. I watched it yesterday and though it's had mixed reviews from critics there's no denying the styling, glamour and decadence make it worth a watch.





If you are thinking of using a 1920s or Gatsby inspired theme then make sure to take a look at my pinterest board here for lots of ideas.

 

If you've seen it I'd love to know what you thought and if the fashions and parties have inspired you.

Monday 13 May 2013

Venue Spotlight: Almonry Barn

Almonry Barn is a gorgeous new wedding venue in Somerset and I'm delighted to share these stunning images featuring lots of talented wedding suppliers from a recent shoot by Photography by Kerry.


                               

                                               

The barn is situated in the Medieval village of Mulchelney and has a hayloft  licensed for civil ceremonies that can seat 100 as well as being in close proximity to a grade 1 listed Medieval Church.

                                


                                


For receptions there is a separate space in the main barn with it own dance floor and quirky bar adapted from the old stables. Catering is provided by Strawberry Fields who offer a great selection of foods including big plates, barbeques, buffets and antipasti.

One thing that really sets Almonry Barn apart is that it has it own venue coordinator and stylist as well as large selection of props that can be used as part of your big day.

                                 

                              

If you are interested in booking Almonry Barn for your wedding you can find out more on the website here.

Featured Suppliers

Photography: Kerry Bartlett
Flowers: Bramble & Wild
Dessert table & white tiered cake: Ice Maiden Cakes
Peach & White ruffle cake: Bellevue Bakery
Stationery: An Invitation
Fairy light canopy: Claire Jayne
Styling: Almonry Barn


Tuesday 30 April 2013

Wedding Theme Inspiration: Enchanted Forest

If you are looking for a beautiful theme for a wedding, you really can't get much prettier than an enchanted garden or forest theme. It works beautifully outdoors but you can also use it to brings the outdoors inside by hiring trees wrapped with twinkling fairy lights and using lanterns, moss, flowers and props to bring it all to life.

For inspiration for this look think of Bella and Edward's Wedding in Twilight or of flower fairies and grottos. How about this gorgeous dessert table from Martha Stewart or the table styling by Flower Wild Events

                                        Woodland Dessert Bar

                                          awww.

For ceremony inspiration this gorgeous shoot featured on Green Wedding Shoes shows a stunning wisteria canopy that would make any venue look beautiful.

                             hanging trees wedding ceremony canopy

Lighting is very important for an enchanted forest it needs to be twinkly and pretty. Candle light, festoon lighting, lanterns and jam jars all work beautifully a shown directly below. A start light canopy or backdrop also enhances the theme and green up-lighters would work well to create the forest like glow. Pretty candles and moss green ribbon keep the theme elegant as shown on the table below.

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                                               "Midsummer Night's Dream" Theme

This theme makes me think of a Midsummer Nights Dream and these adorable fairy jars really capture the romance and whimsical nature. This would be a fun and easy DIY project with some led fairy lights, jam jars and craft moss.

                                would work in plastic jars 2

I hope you like my ideas and if you need any help with themes or inspiration make sure to visit the Themes & Inspiration page or get in contact. You can also take a look at my full Enchanted Forest pinterest board for more ideas.

Photo Credits (Top to Bottom): Martha Stewart Weddings, Flower Wild Events, Three Nails Photography via Green Wedding Shoes, Lilac & Grey, Daughter Of Design, Swashbuckle the Aisle

Friday 19 April 2013

Bristol's Best Sweet Tables

If you are looking for a sweet table or candy buffet for your wedding, then please take a look at  Sweet & Pretty Weddings and Candy Buffets. I run Sweet & Pretty alongside this blog and love to create gorgeously delicious candy buffets for my customers as well as wedding favours, table centrepieces and wedding planning.




Sweet & Pretty can offer a fully bespoke candy buffet design service to match your theme complete with a bespoke backdrop, table linen and a large selection of props, jars, vintage tins and even vintage weighing scales. 





As well as a bespoke service, I also offer some a range of gorgeous candy buffets such as Vintage Tea Party or Vintage Glamour starting from £2.50 per head or you can gire your very own Vintage Sweet Shop. 

These candy buffets have a distinctive pretty vintage style, but you still have the freedom to personalise your sweet table by selecting the sweets and props of your choice and choosing colours to match your wedding theme. Each candy buffet also has a personalised framed message from the bride and groom inviting the guests to tuck in!



I have recently been nominated in the 2013 Wedding Industry Expert Awards in the Best Sweet Table in Bristol category and I would love your vote if you like my work. You can easily vote here by simply clicking below and then pressing the green vote now button. It only takes a few seconds.




Thank you for your support and if you would like a scrummy candy buffet for your Bristol wedding, then take a look at my website here to see more images plus many testimonials from happy customers

Image credits: First and Third Images copyright Marie Man Photography Additional images Sweet & Pretty

Monday 15 April 2013

Kings Weston House Re-opens for Weddings

Historic Kings Weston House was closed just over a year ago and bought by the new owner Norman late last year. Local businessman Norman is currently lovingly restoring the building as his home and as a top wedding venue.

                               

Kings Weston House is a Grade 1 listed building which was designed in the early 18th Century by Sir John Vanbrugh, the same architect who designed the stately Blenheim Palace. It has some unique features such as a hanging staircase and the antlers of a now extinct Irish Elk as well as extensive grounds.

The weddings will be coordinated by Michele Jetzer who won the Best Wedding Coordinator at a Venue award at the Wedding Industry Awards this year for the second year running.

The grand opening of the venue will be marked with a wedding fair on Saturday 7th September from 11am to 3pm with the venues approved suppliers exhibiting. Weddings will be taking place at the venue from September and you can view it now but Michelle says you may need to "use your imagination" as there is currently work taking place.

To arrange a viewing or find out more about weddings at Kings Weston House, contact Michele@kingswestonhouse.co.uk or call her on 07969 201183

You can learn more about the fascinating history of Kings Weston House here.

Monday 8 April 2013

Weird and Wonderful Wedding World

On Saturday 13th April At-Bristol will be hosting a wedding fair with difference. The Weird and Wonderful Wedding Show takes place from 6pm to 11pm and guests can enjoy a free glass of Kir Royale on arrival

The fair is organised by Emily Fisher from Fishee Designs Photo Booth and Ali Cook from Bristol Vintage (the face behind the successful Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair) who realised that there’s a whole world of wedding suppliers out there who don’t fit into the mainstream and need a showcase for their brilliant talents.

"The show will appeal not only to brides out there looking for something really different, but to quirky couples who want to dress up, have a cocktail or two, listen to local bands, dance or chill out, whilst surrounded by the weirdest and most wonderful wedding suppliers on one floor, making it a great night out.

You can enjoy a fashion show under the stars in the Planetarium, watch jugglers, close-up magicians and living statues and, when your man gets tired, send him off to the ‘man creche’ to play on all the interactive science centre exhibits (and, of course, you can have a play too!)."



Emily says: “Although we both love vintage, there are some amazing alternatives, all standing out from the crowd in their own unique way. Couples clearly want to start adding a splash of colour and coolness to stamp their personal style on their big day – and this is the place to find those touches. It doesn’t have to be virgin white all the way you know - it’s your big day, after all, and really should reflect your personality!”

Tickets will be available on the day at £5. Find out more and see the full list of suppliers here

Visit Sweet & Pretty Weddings