Tuesday, 26th January 2010
Wedding Fayres are great for meeting wedding vendors and finding out all about them without feeling any pressure. You are often able to explore their products and services in lots of detail, speak to them about what you are looking for and actually meet the people you would be dealing with, rather than just getting to know them through their website or email.
I am really excited about my next Wedding Fayre, because it’s a local, beautiful and intimate Venue, hosting and supporting the best local independent wedding suppliers.
The Eight Bells Saffron Walden is hosting its own Wedding Fair
Saturday 30th January from 11:00 am to 4pm.
The team at The Eight Bells have been carefully sourcing the best local independent wedding suppliers, from vintage florists to wedding cake makers and they are bringing them together to The Eight Bells stunning Tudor Barn, on January 30th from 11 am.
Luciana Ferreira Day, co-owner of The Eight Bells explains the rationale behind this idea:
….”we have been thinking about putting this together for some time….we’ve hosted a few weddings at The Eight Bells over the years and the outside catering arm has really taken off over the past 12 months.
We have slowly been building relationships with some great local wedding suppliers and brides to be, often like recommendations, so this seemed the perfect way to showcase what is on our doorstep!”
Some of the confirmed attendees include:
HayleyRuth Photography
Violets and Velvet Bespoke Floristry
Vintage Violets – Vintage china hire
Saffron Patisserie
Pure Tiaras – Bridal Tiaras & Hair Accessories
Cambridge Marquees & furniture hire
3D Events – D.J & Lights specialist
Designs for Loving – wedding cakes and favours
Handmade by Jade – wedding stationary
Burwash Manor Hog roast
Hannah Horton – Jazz Musician
And many more!
In addition to meeting the suppliers, The Eight Bells team will be on hand to talk about their outside catering arm, October Catering, and the various wedding venues they are preferred caterers at, including Barrington Hall & Manor Barn in Harlton. Make sure you taste their delicious complimentary canapés & enjoy a glass of fizz whilst you discuss your perfect day!
Entrance is absolutely free. The fair is open from 11 am to 4 pm. A brilliant opportunity to check out what local suppliers have to offer, all under one roof!
For further information please contact Luciana on 01799522 790 or via email on luciana@8bells.co.uk
Here is a look at the gorgeous barn at The Eight Bells, that they use for their weddings.
Hope to see you there, especially as there is free champagne, provided by Adnams, and Canape’s by The Eight Bells.
Wednesday, 25th November 2009
In today’s interview we are talking to Love Miss Daisy, who seeks out the most beautiful vintage clothing, in particular stunning wedding gowns and accessories.
Read more to find out why you might want to think about a unique vintage look for your wedding.
What is Love Miss Daisy all about?
Love Miss Daisy aims to provide vintage lovers with excellent quality, well described, clearly pictured beautiful vintage clothing and accessories for all ages, sizes and tastes!
How did Love Miss Daisy start?
Love Miss Daisy was launched in September 2008 after a year of preparation and research. It is a mother/daughter run business so between us we have 5 decades of first hand fashion experience and knowledge. We wanted to work for ourselves and work in an area we both love, and what better an area than fashion!
What is important to you at Love Miss Daisy?
Where vintage clothing and accessories are concerned, the most important quality for sellers to have in our opinion, is honesty. The clothes we sell have been around for as long as 60 years, and it is imperative for sellers like ourselves to inspect and describe each item as accurately as possible. Shopping for vintage online rather than in a shop means you have to take the word of the seller and be able to trust their assessment of each item 100%. We constantly receive compliments and comments from our customers praising the accuracy and quality of our stock, so it seems we’re doing a good job so far!
Where do you find all those gorgeous vintage pieces from?
Vintage sellers will rarely tell you their sources! But I can tell you we source our stock from all over the world, particularly America and Europe. We also travel around the UK on buying trips. Everywhere we go, our eyes are always open!
Why should I consider wearing a vintage wedding dress?
You only have to visit one wedding dress shop today to immediately see that SO many of the dresses look the same! With a vintage wedding dress, you will look unique, and the endless compliments you will receive will make your special day even more special! Our 1950′s wedding dresses are constantly in huge demand, particularly the ballerina length dresses, they are absolutely incredible, and we don’t believe that you should pay ridiculous amounts of money for the most important dress of your life. Our most expensive dress is £600, but most are anywhere between £199 and £400. So you can look more unique for less. Surely a no brainer!
Can you help me source something particular that I have in mind or am looking for?
We would be happy to try and source any item for you! We can’t make any promises, but we’ll try our very best to find what you’re looking for!
Can you help me create the vintage look for my wedding?
We offer appointments for wedding dress fittings, where we will chat to you about the best era of dress for your body shape, we will help you find the right shade of white or cream in our dresses to match your skin tone, and we have a selection of 1950′s veils and headpieces for you to try on with each dress. We also stock a brand called Lily Millicent, which is a collection of beautiful headbands and hair slides, many of which are made specifically for brides or bridesmaids using vintage jewellery, freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals and other materials. Only yesterday we paired up the perfect headband with the perfect 50′s wedding dress for a bride-to-be, and she unexpectedly left with her hair sorted as well as her dress!
How often do you get in new items?
It varies. We usually have new items in every week.
Is there anything I should consider when looking at vintage outfits for my wedding?
It’s all about what suits you. You may absolutely love 1950′s wedding dresses but they may not flatter your body shape and it could be that a 1970′s dress does. It’s really important to take your time and we always say that the girl doesn’t find the dress, the dress will almost always find the girl.
How can we get in touch with you?
If you have a wedding dress enquiry, please email Terri on terri@lovemissdaisy.com. We have a lot of vintage wedding gowns on our website at www.lovemissdaisy.com but we also stock many that aren’t yet on the website, so please do enquire if you’re looking for something specific!
Wednesday, 28th October 2009
I am really excited to introduce you to the exceptionally talented Lydia of Hand-Drawn Maps. Lydia draws extra special maps for your wedding or special occasion so all your guests can find you on the day.
Here is a stunning example. (For the complete interview, a special offer and some more beautiful maps don’t forget to keep scrolling down!)
How did Hand-Drawn Maps start?
I studied Fine Art at university and have always had a passion for illustration and good design. Then, a couple of years ago my friend got married. During her wedding preparations she searched everywhere for a special kind of map to go with the invitations she had made, but could find nothing except a few American sites that offered the kind of map she had in mind. There seemed to be no UK equivalent. So she asked me if I could design something for her, and of course I was honoured! I realised that, whilst there are plenty of businesses offering wedding invitation and stationary design, there was a real gap in the market for a high-quality, UK-based wedding map service. I believed I could fill this gap so I went for it!
What makes your maps so special?
As you might guess from the name, each map starts as a pen & ink illustration drawn by hand, so there is a real personal touch and creative quality to the work. Not only do I aim to make accurate maps, but I am also creating small, beautiful works of art that hopefully will delight guests and provide the couple with a wonderful souvenir of their big day.
Wedding maps are often overlooked during hectic wedding preparations, or they are an afterthought – just be a boring old photocopy or google map printout – which I think is a shame when so much care and effort has inevitably gone into the invitations themselves. Hand Drawn Maps offers something different, unique and (I think) extremely pretty! It’s a fully bespoke service, so the client gets to choose exactly what they want from their map. Every map is one of a kind, and specifically tailored to the clients’ style of wedding and personal taste.
What is important to you at Hand-Drawn Maps?
To make sure every client is happy with the service they receive, and that they love their finished map! Even though the map may be a small part of the whole wedding, it’s a chance for the client to be creative, to express themselves and to bring together all the little details of their wedding through their map design. One client recently told me that, since her wedding was a fairly formal affair, the map was her only real chance to release her inner-princess and have a little fun!
How can I use Hand-Drawn Maps at my wedding?
They are the perfect way to complete wedding invitations, or can be used as ‘save the date’ cards. You can hand them out to caterers, the photographer or anyone else who needs to find your venue, and even buy a framed, hand-painted original of your map to hang on the wall in pride of place!
Clients’ can also opt for a Personal Web Page (password-protected) which is FREE with any map package, so friends & family can access your map online (and other details such as directions, dates, wedding list details etc).
What if I have a particular theme at my wedding are you still able to help?
Definitely! Since the maps are hand-drawn there is so much freedom in the design process and the possibilities are endless. When making a map I rely on the client to provide as much information as they can about who they are and what they want, to help me can create a design that will really express their taste and reflect their wedding day perfectly. The more information I have the better the map will be!
If you want the design to complement your invitations or a particular pattern, that is fine too. Just be sure to send me a copy and I will work it into the design. I had one client recently who sent me a picture of the door to her reception venue, so I could incorporate this into her map! (It really is a very beautiful door).
Can I have more than one design in my map?
Yes. I will always endeavour to include whatever designs or ideas the client would like to see in the map, and that often involves bringing together a few different elements, such as theme, borders and colours.
There are 3 map packages available – basic, classic and deluxe – to suit a wide range of budgets and styles. Throughout the proofing process there is also a chance to change and amend the maps before agreeing to the final design, so hopefully the end result will always fit in perfectly with the rest of the wedding.
Can you make special orders?
There are a range of optional extras available to complement the map, such as hand-written directions and invitations. I also offer printing on request. As an artist and painter, I take on special commissions and will consider other related design work, so if you have an idea for something a bit different, please feel free to enquire!
How long before my wedding do I have to order my hand-drawn map?
It is a good idea to order your map at the same time as you are organising invitations, but you could send out the map at any stage before the wedding itself, so it could be done at any point really.
Once an order has been made and I have all the information I need, it will take 7-10 days to complete the first draft. After this it depends on how many changes are needed, and how quickly I receive feedback from the client. I would say leave 4-6 weeks from the date of ordering to receive the finished map.
How do you present my map?
Throughout the proofing process I usually correspond via email, sending jpeg proofs of the map to the client in order to receive feedback and make any necessary changes. Once the work is complete you will receive a printed paper copy of the final map through the post, as well as a disc containing the map as a JPEG and PDF file, suitable for home or professional quality printing.
Printing is not offered as standard, but it is available as an optional extra.
How much do hand-drawn maps cost?
A basic black and white map design starts at just £75! Prices vary depending on the package you choose and the complexity of the map, with the deluxe package starting at £125.
To celebrate the launch of our new website, Hand Drawn Maps is offering 10% of the total price of any map order made before the 30th November 2009 so for a bit of a bargain you need to get in quick!
Can we visit you to see you and your hand-drawn maps in more detail?
Check out the new website at: www.hand-drawnmaps.co.uk
tel: 07989 421 755
Wednesday, 21st October 2009
In this weeks interview, we are talking to the fabulous Tini from Tini Balambanos Designs. I met Tini at Iain and Laura’s Wedding back in June and saw her stunning designs first hand. Tini had captured Iain and Laura’s love story in their wedding invitations and the details were carried throughout all the wedding stationary beautifully.
Here’s the interview:
What should I consider when thinking about my wedding stationary?
Wedding stationery and particularly your invitation, sets the tone for your big day. It is the first glimpse into what guests will see of your celebration; your style, theme and the atmosphere of your day.
Invitations should create a sense of anticipation, wonder, and curiosity. Its important that wedding stationery is cohesive, has a running theme (even just a colour, flower, location, quote, favourite hobby, love or passion), looks professional, classy and elegant.
Above all, your stationery should be a reflection of YOU – your personality! It should be a design you can call your own.
What stationary do I need?
Wedding invitations, Evening invitations, Save the dates (optional), invitation reply card (optional), map and / or accommodation information (optional), gift registry card (optional), personalised envelope labels (optional but I recommend this as it really is the finishing touch.)
Additional stationery might include menus, wedding programs, thank you notes, guest seating plan/frame, table numbers / name cards, favour tags and seating cards for guests. If you are having a destination wedding, you might also like to think about welcome notes and / or gifts to be placed in your guests’ hotel rooms.
Should it all be matching?
Yes. Elements, colours and graphics should link up to create a package which is identifiable and professional.
About Tini and what makes your designs so special?
After completing a BA degree in Graphic Communication (Loughborough, UK), I decided to go back home – to Malawi, Africa, and pursue my options there. After 2 years of working and freelancing, I got married and moved to Johannesburg.
TB Design was created out of the pure love of graphic design, and a passion for anything which simply looks “beautiful, tasteful and inspirational” – be it fashion, interiors, decor, food or wedding planning.
Most importantly, it was created from the most personal and treasured gift I could give close friends – the gift of designing their wedding and special occasion stationery.
All these happenings have rooted the start of Tini Balambanos Design.
I adore what I do and find so much joy in creating something unique, bespoke, different, of quality and epitomising that wow factor.
I truely believe that when you have the option for something one-of-a-kind and totally you, why go for something commercialised and common?
What is important to you at Tini Balambanos Design?
Above all, I want my clients to feel confident, comfortable and satisfied with the work I do for them. I strive to offer a service which is couture, reliable, and organised.
I use good quality materials, fine papers, pay attention to detail, and love to create something innovative and fresh.
I design around a clients needs, capturing their individual personality. I listen to what your requirements are, and design around what I think is best suited for that.
Or if you have something you like; a picture, a quote, an embellishment, a pattern, I can work with that and fit it into an overall design and package.
Can you design special orders for other events or just weddings?
I can design for any special occasion, celebration, party or event.
I also do corporate work such as designing logos, business cards, corporate identity, brochures, posters, invitations to product launches and year-end functions.
What if I have a particular theme at my wedding, are you still able to help?
Absolutely. Although all stationery is custom designed, I will work with your theme as well as make any other suggestions or find any other elements which I think may be suitable or appropriate to make the overall look uniquely yours. Whatever impression you want to make, I can help you.
How long before my wedding would I have to order my stationary?
As stationery is custom designed, the sooner the better. Typically though, stationary can be ordered 3-6 months before the wedding. Invitations are usually mailed out 2-3 months before the wedding and save-the-dates up to 6 months.
How do you ship my stationary?
Internationally with express postage such as FedEx or DHL. Delivery varies between 1 – 7 days.
Nationally, either with express postage or meeting in person.
How much does your stationary and design cost?
I can work within almost any budget, but I prepare quotes on a ‘by request’ basis, since each project is different – I’ll be happy to do complimentary creative consultations and prepare no-obligation quotes for any readers who would like to hear more.
How would payment and logistics work?
Please contact me for information on how the design process works.
If meeting in person is not possible, we can work around a face to face meeting, thanks to email, phone and skype.
I look forward to hearing from readers and working in the way that best suits each of them.
How can I get in touch with you?
You can reach me on:
Tel: (0027 11) 894 1661
Cell: (0027) (0) 823413109
Email: tinib@telkomsa.net
Monday, 5th October 2009
On the 24 October 2009 Suzie Rice, Style Coach and Make up Artist, is running a portrait day session where you can have your make-up professionally applied, enhancing your natural beauty and then I will capture the look in a series of stylish and contemporary portraits, giving you memories to keep forever.
Portrait Day
Using the best products on the market from Bobbi Brown, Mac, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Christian Dior, Dermalogica and more, Suzie will apply your make up in a relaxed atmosphere. Take advantage of this great opportunity to have your make-up professionally applied, enhancing your natural beauty and receive some beautiful images.
Once your make up has been applied, I will take some contemporary, relaxed portriats to capture the moment and will put you at ease to capture you beautifully.
After the portrait day, you will receive a CD of your images to do whatever you like with them, the possibilities are endless!
Its a great way to boost your confidence and the perfect idea for family Christmas gifts. You may want to indulge yourself and come alone, bring a friend, or you’re welcome to bring along children, partners for the portraits.
Venue: TBC
Time: Session time to be arranged after booking
Date: Saturday 24 October 2009
Price: Exclusively discounted – £25 booking/makeover fee
CD of images – Amazing price of just £150 - Exclusively discounted to you
(Normal price of CD £195 plus £45 booking/makeover fee)
Saving of £65.00
For secure on-line booking click here
As a style coach and make up artist, Suzie runs a number of one to one services from selecting your wardrobe and applying your make up, to how to select the perfect wedding dress, hair and make up. Take a look at her website.
