Wedding Events

On a bright chilly morning here in Hampshire we are bringing together the plans for our Wedding Workshop to be held on 23rd February here in The New Forest.

For a long time I have disliked wedding fairs (just a personal thought of course) I feel they can be a little daunting for couples as supplier after supplier pounce to show off their work, they are also expensive for wedding suppliers to attend. So I have strived for a way to offer the alternative ...




Then back in October, surrounded by talented business owners at our latest networking evening an idea was born! Ever since then we have been putting together the ultimate interactive wedding experience where bride and supplier both benefit.

Welcome - The Wedding Workshop!

In brief this is to be a relaxed, informal day where couples get chance to meet with a range of hand picked (and loved by us) suppliers in a non pressured environment, no stands as such, time to spend with each one, see them actually at work, enjoy free beauty treatments, taste the food, have an engagement photo shoot plus much more.

Best of all you can attend fun, free seminars throughout the day where you can learn how to achieve a budget friendly, DIY wedding!



As a guest you will be handed a cup of tea and a cake on arrival, meet us to chat about your plans and then take your planning bag round the venue to collect lots of free goodies (real useable treats not just a voucher or two!) and enjoy a range of free services or treatments.

You are guaranteed of an enjoyable day and will come away with lots of useable goodies, useful advice to help you create the day you want and access lots of tips on money saving and planning ideas.

What's more is that by attending you have the chance to enter our grand draw, all the proceeds of which will be donated to our favourite charity - The Wedding Wishing Well Foundation, Naomi the founder will also come along on the day to chat about her story and tell us more about the work they do.



We can't wait and hope that you will join us! To purchase a ticket please email us on marie@isabellaweddings.co.uk

Due to the quality of the gifts given to all our attending couples and to maximise our charity donations we are offering tickets for sale at £8 each (or £15 for a pair) including refreshments, treatments, goodies and offer of discounted lunch if you wish!

Get in touch soon as we only wish to welcome a selected number of couples.

See you there!
Marie

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Celebrity style at Pylewell Park!

Yes you can have a celebrity style wedding, it is within your reach and at our very own Pylewell Park in Hampshire!
This summer the extraordinarily beautiful couple Camilla Alves and actor Matthew Mcconaughy wed in a picture perfect intimate location. The nuptials lasted for a 3 day weekend and guests were invited to camp.






Pylewell park offers private use of the grounds and rooms in the beautiful house recently opened for couples to use such as the bridal suite. Your guests can arrive for arrival drinks in The Hall walking through the house to be greeted with manicured lawns. Many perfect locations for photographs, from the grand house or views across the Solent as a background! Use the grounds as you wish, lined marquee recommended, garden games, chill out tents and more. The grounds are your blank canvas to do with what you wish.






We will also be on hand on the day to ensure it runs smoothly and exactly as you wish. We can offer you this venue including rooms for just £3,500! This offer its limited so do contact us soon to arrange a viewing!


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Location:Pylewell Park

Wedding Industry Awards

"commit with all of your heart and you shall rewarded"

I wanted to use today's blog as an opportunity to thank all of my lovely couples with whom I've had the pleasure of working with over the years, especially those who took the time to vote for Isabella Weddings in The Wedding Industry Awards.

We have been delighted to have been shortlisted for the past two years (yay!) and 2013 shortlisted entrants are being judged this week.

Winners are then announced in a few weeks so we are biting every finger and toe nail in anticipation!!



These awards mean so much more to us than any others because real couples, who you have shared many an hour with have the say as to how far you get in the awards. After which you are then judged by experts in our industry. So to win means that you have something special to offer brides, you are truly committed to doing your best and as a business in the wedding world.

It's motivating and very rewarding, I work many many hours and I love my role in a couples plans.



This is me on our wedding day - my addiction to weddings started here :-)

So to them thank you from the bottom of my heart. (I know many of you still follow my updates as we're good friends - many a cookie is shared with some lovely ladies!)

We are really looking forward to awards event in January too - this was us celebrating last year with Hill Place -



Lastly do take a peek at this little video by The Wedding Industry Awards, to feel the excitement as we do this week!

http://vimeo.com/m/52681069

Have a wonderful week - on our next blog I shall be bringing you a fabulously elegant wedding from the stylish Old Alresford House ....

Love, Marie
X

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Isabella Weddings Workshop News!

Isabella Weddings are delighted to announce our Wonderful Wedding Workshop to be held on 23rd February 2013 in the New Forest.



We shall be raising funds for our favourite foundation - The Wedding Wishing Well, who help terminally ill people marry their loved one, sadly usually in a shortened timeframe.


The event will be completely different to regular wedding fairs, it will be relaxed, interactive, themed and throughout the day there will be seminars and tutorials on subjects such as :

Wedding Planning
Budget Control
Tips to save stress and cut corners
How to make cake decorations and toppers
How to create your own bridal bouquet
Designing and creating your own table plan

And many many more including a visit from the charity's founder Naomi, who will be on hand to tell her story and offer helpful and thoughtful advice to all women.




Also throughout the day there will be some of our favourite suppliers of hand to give free treatments, complimentary photo shoots, 'colour me beautiful' analysis, free refreshments and much more.

Plus each visitor will receive a fabulous Planning Gift Bag full of luxury items such as make up, cakes, beauty products, planning goodies and lots of surprises!

We shall be holding a raffle as well and all the proceeds will go directly to The Wedding Wishing Well Foundation, prizes include £1000 worth of stationery and a luxury pamper experience so far ...



(Ena's Florists)

Tickets are on sale now, priced at just £8 each or £15 for two with just a limited number of tickets available.

This is not a wedding fair, you will have chance to really get to know the suppliers, take time to try out their treatments, services and goods for yourself and take some home for free. Plus you will learn a few fabulous tips and ideas at our workshop talks and seminars!


(Kim Taylor Photography)

Email Marie on marie@isabellaweddings.co.uk to order your ticket today.

More information to follow, join us on Facebook and Twitter via our website to hear the news about this exciting event as it breaks and please share this at any time.

We look forward to seeing you there!




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Location:New Forest Hampshire

These are a few of my favourite things ...

Having just finished a busy old week I wanted to share a few random items which over the last year I have loved...

Some were a product of research, some stumbled across, some taken from our couples days and some ... Well some just prove to you why I am totally in love with my job :)




Ok so this was technically 'last' year not 'this' year but I loved the Royal Wedding build up, I was asked by BBC Radio Solent to feature as a regular 'wedding contributor' during the final 3 months - which was lots of fun!



I always love innovative and budget friendly ideas, this is perfect for a fun place name! (think of all the bubbly consumed along the way though) lovely :)




I don't know where this image is from but it has to be the one that inspires me so much. Why? Because I love the 'comfort' wedding, in a world where we deny ourselves so much and have to be grown up all the time - cookies and milk (albeit a grown up version) is a little bit of comfort food after a big grown up party!

Plus it inspired the Cookie Bar range that we now offer for weddings and events!




I adore vintage and this card box was like catnip to me. I also now have a dream to bring life to my late grandfather's memoirs. Through the letters he wrote every day throughout the war, to my grandmother resulting in a suitcase of over 1000 love letters!




We should all remember this ....




This one is for the truly wonderful family of suppliers that I have been lucky enough to grow within, their support and knowledge is something I never take for granted.




A huge thank you again to my gorgeous couples, your words of support mean the world me genuinely.





It is an honour to be part of someone's wedding day, let alone be paid to be part of it. We should all be grateful for the happiness we can bring and I am always touched when a couple book me to help them after maybe just one phonecall or meeting.

I adore my job, it's a way of life and I'm very content with every part of my life. Yes I'm driven and ambitious and always striving to start new projects but it's all for a reason, not just to be the best wedding planner but also the best mum/wife/daughter/friend that I can be too.

Ok that's soppy - let's have a funny :)



Yes - lovely July rain!

Have a fab weekend, Marie xx


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Love thy wedding planner

Having just relaxed on a sunny poolside holiday I've had time to reflect on this Summers weddings and how Isabella Weddings has grown in 2012. I am so very proud of all the hard work the ladies who work with me dedicate to this little empire of support, we are all committed to offering the best service, the best value for money and most of honesty and trust.




So as we came into 2012 we were busy preparing a project list for this year, open a shop, win the awards ...usual wishes ;-)
I then usually add to this list many many times between the hours of midnight and 2am! (sorry for the 'idea' texts at that time Ruth!) and being a busy mum and of course having primary focus on our couples, it's hard to keep momentum on some projects.

However here are some of the fun ideas that are being fulfilled and are available (or soon will be) for all!



(button hole by Lesa at I Heart Button Bouquets)

The Boutique by Isabella Weddings is our newest venture, an online wedding marketplace to buy, hire, sell and create lots of gorgeous items and ideas for your wedding.




Cookie bars - the new range of cookie jars to display and offer to your guests!




(Pylewell Park)

Our Secret Wedding Venue - our entire portfolio of venues that offer something unique, bespoke and perfect for your day - no run of the mill venues here!

Networking evenings for wedding suppliers, a perfect way to meet other like minded business owners, all free of charge.




Venue support, hen parties, honeymoons, gift vouchers and more

We also offer wedding planning evenings, wedding workshop weekends. Our consultations are free of charge and held in the couples home or at a venue or their choice, an ideal way to begin your wedding plans or perhaps bring together any last minute ideas.


(Tithe Barn, Petersfield)

We can help you find some excellent suppliers, beautiful venues and support with any of your plans so do give us a ring to lose the stress but not the control of your wedding plans.

See you soon
Marie x


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Autumn Sun at Fawsley Hall!

Autumn has really set in but that didn't stop the sun from shining on Natalie and Ric's big day on Saturday at Fawsley Hall in Northampton. The wedding took place in Knightwood Court, a gorgeous building in the grounds of the venue. The bride is Greek so the day had various touches from Greek traditions. The colours of the day were simple and clean Creams, Whites and Greens.



The ceremony was held in The Valentines room. It was a truly gorgeous setting and the candles gave a really warm romantic feel. A saxophone player Paul Martyn played 'Fields of Gold' as the bridesmaids and Bride made their way up the aisle.



Little touches such as personalised M and Ms and Greek chocolates were treats for guests throughout the day.


The wedding breakfast was served in The Saunders Room, which was then turned around for party time in the evening!


Mini boubonieras were placed on each lady's menu.



Natalie and Ric booked us for an 'On the Day' service as they both have very busy jobs in the legal industry and Natalie's family live on the Greek of Thassos so were unable to assist with the plans. They had quite a lot of decor to set up on the morning of the wedding and wanted someone experienced to be on hand throughout the day to see that it ran smoothly.


It was a really lovely day, and such a pleasure to be part of such a friendly family's day. One of my favourites!

Ruth

Location:Fawsley Hall, Northampton

Wedding Venue with a difference

As all our followers know we are always looking to add fantastic venues to our portfolio, this week has seen us visit and fall in love with one very special place - Milton Barns in New Milton.




Every wedding couple looks to find a venue that caters for both their wishes and their budget, flexibility has always been an important criteria for us to notice in a wedding venue as well as a commitment to provide the best service, excellent food choices and all round attention to detail.
Here at Milton Barns they offer all of this and more, the barns (which currently run as a restaurant and hotel primarily) are being taken over by a fabulous new team on the 1st November, therefore when we visited we were able to hear all the new and exciting projects for it's future.




The new team have developed some excellent value for money packages and if you hold your wedding breakfast with them you may not have to pay any room hire charges at all! There are a lovely selection of bedrooms that are all due to have a make-over and a wonderfully intimate restaurant and welcome drinks area. You will be able to hold your wedding ceremony here under old beams and in this beautiful location.




There are so many lovely features of this fabulous hotel, the food looks wonderful and the team are there to add so many extra touches to ensure you have the most special of wedding days.
We are fully supporting this lovely venue and intend to develop both all-inclusive wedding packages as well as exclusive use wedding weekends for you and your guests.




As a thank you to all their couples, Milton Barns offer a complimentary wedding planning evening with either myself or Ruth to help get your plans off on the right foot, we can help you with all your suppliers and of course be there at any stage to help keep the stress levels low.
We are totally delighted to be working with the new team at Milton Barns, look out for our updates as plans progress - including an open day, wedding gala and more!

To have a look at the hotel as it is now visit their website here
Please do also follow Isabella Weddings for more venue and wedding news, or of course to book a planning consultation, chat to us about your day or simply to come and see what we do - our website is here
I am off on holiday now so Ruth will look after you until mid October :-)

Have a lovely two weeks!
Marie x
Isabella Weddings
Wedding and Event Planners

28th September 2012

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Location:New Milton

Bridal Beautiful by Twirl

This week I had the total pleasure of meeting Tracy who runs a newly opened gorgeous little bridal gown boutique in Petersfield, it is minutes from the train station and less than an hour from London (even less if you are on the South coast) and it's owner Tracy is so welcoming and totally committed to offering ladies an honest and relaxed experience, so what is not to love about Twirl Bridal Boutique?!



The Grace Gown

Well I have visited many bridal boutiques over the years and some are amazing, however some are truly terrifying. The experience of buying your wedding gown is one thing that many of us girls dream of doing one day, you walk out of the changing room to tearful mums and smiling bridesmaids. So choosing where to go is very important.



The Lydia

If you are looking for someone who is going to be honest without making you feel uncomfortable, someone you can have a giggle with and truly enjoy the afternoon dress shopping, then come to Twirl! I felt totally at ease and in fact I wanted to try them all on!



Her gorgeous Ava silk gown

What is even more exciting is that after a lovely meeting with Tracy (and coffee and brownies later) Twirl Bridal have partnered with Isabella Weddings to offer our clients an exclusive offer of ....

Any gown in her store for £799 (or less if you pick a sale gown!)

Weddings by the sea

I had pleasure of being invited to a gorgeous sea fronted venue recently - The Marine restaurant in Milford on Sea. I drove through country lanes and then along the quiet sea path, after reaching the end I stopped in a lovely, spacious car park and stepped out to hear the sea and smell the fresh air.


This is a good place to marry I thought. And it really is, the owners and the team here are truly lovely, really keen to make the most of your day and help make it just perfect. We are working with them to produce some excellent wedding packages that suit both your budget and your personal style. The restaurant is now in its second year and there are big plans - including maybe a hot tub in the roof!

The roof top bar is stunning and offers unbroken views across the sea, sip your champagne here after your ceremony on the beach and enjoy the feeling of being abroad or on a cruise ship!


The beautifully decorated restaurant has a downstairs mood lit bar (with a gorgeous little snug area, perfect for the kids or your own private seating area) and a lovely, spacious upstairs restaurant where again you have the best views in the town.



We chatted lots about weddings and the team are keen to offer the entire venue for exclusive use, and better still it is at a pocket friendly rate too. There are some bedrooms that are likely to be available next year, including a first floor 'flat', sumptuously decorated and with all you need for a seaside bedroom, getting ready in the morning with the girls and sipping bubbly.



This venue is totally lovely, every area has been really tastefully and exquisitely decorated and care has been taken to choose the perfect staff - they truly want to offer a fantastic experience for your wedding and we are sure they can do it too.



We are in the process of offering some excellent wedding planning support to the team so if you are looking for a wedding venue with a difference, look no further. With a perfect combination of wonderful caring staff, a gorgeous venue and a professional wedding planner, what more could you ask for.

The exclusive use is likely to include the venue which is solely yours, all your daytime and evening food, drinks and bedrooms.... All for under £10k! Ask us for exact details. Special deals are offered for mid-week and out of season weddings too.

I was really impressed and excited about this venue, we know you will be too. Get in touch anytime to talk through your wedding plans further.

enquiries@isabellaweddings.co.uk

All the best for a lovely weekend
Marie x


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Location:Milford on Sea, Hampshire

Beccie and Martins sunny Hill Place Wedding

This weekend I was happy to be helping with Beccie and Martin's summer fete wedding at the beautiful Hill Place.
The couple had a small ceremony in the gorgeous Morning room at the house followed by drinks reception and garden games on the lawn and a very pretty summer fete themed marquee reception. As Beccie and Martin wished, the whole affair was extremely relaxed and with the sun gracing us with its presence all day it couldn't have gone better.



The couple bought their own marquee to put up with peach and cream lining. The garden games including croquet went down very well!



The couples vintage style suitcase with tickets to find your way to your table!



Increasingly popular 'cheese cake' as an added feature looked fantastic!



The stunning Choccywoccydoodah cake certainly brought the 'wow' factor!

Ruth
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Location:Hill Place Swanmore