Wedding Planner? Who needs one!

Last night I stayed with a lovely photographer - Jemma from Pearl Pictures http://www.pearl-pictures.com who will be shooting Pamela and Roberts wedding today. We were chatting about the services we offer and how they add value and it lead on to discussing why couples choose a wedding planner over a venue co-ordinator. Many venue co-ordinaries feel there isn't a need for an independent wedding planner and can sometimes feel a little put out by this taking place, like I'm straying into their territory.

This is a problem I come up against a fair amount and I strongly feel it can work really well as we focus on very different areas and can support each other - should the venue be open to this of course. I'm not employed to take over their venue, they are the expert here and I am simply here to support them and assist where I can, add a pair of hands when required.

Of course this isn't the only area of my support, a venue co-ordinator is an expert in their field, they know how you can make the best of your day and by using their skills you can ensure your reception is perfect.

However a wedding planner can add so much more to this, they work with many different suppliers every weekend and can offer varied advice on those suppliers, they are out and about every day and keeping up with what's new. They are visiting bridal shops, fairs, events all of which give extra influence and outside influence, they can visit suppliers and collect samples, read over supplier contracts and put together timelines and calendars.

More than this though they offer something only an independent wedding planner can truly offer.... 24 support. Being on the end of the phone for every concern or worry, advising on everything from style to family arguments. They are there for you and can be called upon at anytime day or night.

This emotional support is by far the most important role I offer and one my couples value above everything else.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Retro v Vintage

I love retro, I blame my husband of course. I see myself in a camper van, wearing polka dots and a satchel, listening to Dean Martin and enjoying lots of colourific treats. For this blog I wanted to look at weddings with both themes ...

Take a look here for some fab Retro wedding ideas ...

http://www.mrs2be.com/retro-wedding-theme.php

But then there's vintage, I have to confess I'm not sure I ever knew the big differences... Vintage is more twee, more Cath Kidston than the recent Retro glamour of Drew Barrymore ( or dare I say it Austin Powers!) you can have vintage lace on your dress and table cloths and not feel you've overdone it. Afternoon tea and scones will secure your Ode to Vintage where as you are looking more at a candy bar come jelly bean jar to pull off true Retro.

What about the cars? Surely an ice cream van tops a classic 1926 Bentley? Or does it.

Officially I'm told that the 'vintage era' was from 1919-1930 whereas Retro brings about images of the swinging 60's doesn't it? So why do we get the two mixed up? Maybe it's our love of the past, when we lived without convenience and with good, homemade clothes and jams. Where neighbours spoke and hard living meant something very different.

Here is a lovely vintage wedding site I found : http://www.vintagewedding.com/

I find it amusing that we all love our mod cons but we do yearn for those bygone years of our grandparents.

So which do you love more? Can you choose? I am a vintage girl but can see my husbands influence creeping into my wardrobe too. Let's just embrace our love of all things that are not the here and now? Maybe.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I-cycle

Matt Benecci Icycle.








I love this idea! Why not hire a Trike Bike Ice Cream visit for your wedding?! Yum!

"It's difficult to be original these days and still maintain a standing in the marketplace. In 2005 Matt Benecci Ice Cream Co. was formed by Simon and Kerry Wells with the aim of providing the serving and distribution of quality Ice Cream from an Ice Cream Trike. The name was taken from their children 'Matt, Ben and Becci' and the trikes were quickly and lovingly called 'Icycles'. From a single unit serving at a local wedding five years ago, Matt Benecci Ice Cream Co has expanded into all counties covering the South East of England."
(....taken from their website...)

When looking for something unusual, this is perfect. Their cycles are used in many television campaigns and they are increasingly popular for weddings and events alike.










http://www.icecreamtrikebike.co.uk look them up today.

On Sunday I was lucky enough to be invited along to co-ordinate a beautiful Hindu wedding. This was to be a busy yet fun filled day with lots of organising on my side.

I arrive (with Hannah a student of mine) at 9am with instructions to 'ensure the venue has set up the table plan correctly and dress those tables and the Mandap'.

As we arrive we are shown upstairs where we meet a very angry and put-upon cleaner, his job was only half complete at the time we turned up, the table plan hadn't even been looked at let alone set up and the place was a tip.

Upon investigating it turned out there was no staff on duty in the function room let alone a manager, so we had simply an irate cleaner and a handyman to help us, it was clear we would have to work fast and alone to get this venue ready for our bridal party in just a few hours.

The morning progresses in much the same vein, there is no linen and no sign of the catering staff and time is ticking, I make some swift phonecalls and we adapt rather quickly so that we can set the entire venue up and get to the church on time!




The caterers are nearly two hours late so this too requires some quick thinking so that they are not laying tables whilst the party are arriving. We are an hour behind schedule but by 3pm we have made up time, myself and Hannah (in at the deep end somewhat) have cleaned floors, tied flowers, dressed and laid tables and cleaned up with the catering team, we have darted from venue to venue, begged borrowed and almost stolen to ensure our couples plans are carried out perfectly, we have shed many calories and gained a few grey hairs along the way. What could have gone wrong went wrong at this wedding but we coped totally ....

.... And all without the couple ever knowing a thing.

If you, or you know someone, who has ever doubted the need for a wedding co-ordinator on their wedding day, let this be proof of the need!!

(by the way, the wedding -once we got there - was amazing and so very beautiful)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Let Them Eat Cake

I love cake, we all do don't we?

In most forms cake gives us a sense of indulgence, for me it is a naughty Sunday afternoon at Mums whilst promising to eat dinner later! So what better way to feed that sweet tooth then to indulge on a top cake for your wedding day. I have seen some amazing creations in all the weddings we have attended, it seems there are hardly any boundaries now for cake creations and you can be as free with the flavours as you can on the design. Put some budget aside for a great cake, don't dismiss it as a expense not worth having because it might just be the only sweet treat you will eat on your wedding day, if you want my advice make it a feature, make a statement and enjoy the design - or you'll have to wait until a big birthday for another chance!

So with so many excellent cake bakers out there I decided rather than give you my own favourites, I would ask some of my favourite cake ladies to send me their favourites and to tell you why they love making them ...

This cake is from Fiona from Crazy Daisy Cakes, she tells me "I like this one because it's fun! It was a small wedding for a couple who had been together for quite a while, they already had a family and wanted to get away from the more traditional wedding cake" This cake is brilliant, what a modern twist on a wedding cake and nice to capture the couples fun side. Visit them on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Crazy-Daisy-Cakes/127089585777

She also sent me this one which she added "This is one of my favourites, I just love the simplicity, what more can I say!"

I thought this was stunning, so simple and clean and a classic addition to your day.

Angie from Sweet Inspiration Cakes http://www.sweetinspiration-cakes.co.uk/ sent me this gorgeous cake and said "I love my 'Falling Blossom' cake which is my most popular design - classic white cake, traditionally styled with pillars, and a Bride & Groom topper....used between the tiers for a slight modern twist, along with the ever popular 'Bow n Brooch' detailing"

Gorgeous cake and so much detail, it holds sentimental yet secret dreams for me and such a lovely choice for a classic cake.

This second cake from Angie is also a favourite of hers " This is 'Summer' which I love for the subtle pastel colours, and the vintage feel with the birdcage on top - being a wedding florist also, the current trends are still vintage, shabby chic and we are booking wedding after wedding with fresh floral birdcages for the tables, so what better way to finish with a cake to match!"

I love that Vintage is still in strong form, so much yet to explore and this cake is a lovely example of how to bring Vintage to life.

Jayne from Angel Cakes http://www.angelcakes-hampshire.co.uk/ sent this stunning cake to me, she says "My favourite is our signature mini Trinket Box design, one heck of a lot of work but such a stunning cake! We've made this is most colours including black & White, Chocolate & Cream, Pink & White, Baby Blue & Ivory and this year we have some very retro variations including Black, White & Hot Pink for an 80's themed wedding and Orange, Red & Yellow for a circus themed event! Definitely a favourite for the modern bride"

Wow what a cake, it must have taken days to make each of the boxes! I love this!

Clare from The Lilyrose Cake Company http://www.lilyrosecakes.com/ sent this one in, she says "It is my favorite because it depicts my love of Victorian detail but modern at the same time, very elegant. Of course the white roses could be changed for any colour, in fact I think deep red would look lovely too"

The classic and clean white cake, often overlooked now for colour but this shouts glamour and sophistication.

This fabulous Disney cake was sent by Lynn from Ellas Cakes - http://www.ellacakes.co.uk/ she says "An avid Disney fan, (even at my age!) when my friend told me her daughter was having a Disney themed fancy dress and could I make the cake, I was very excited! It is such a girlie cake, may not be appropriate for a wedding, though! From the mouse to the curly wheels, to the tiny pumpkins and the clock at midnight, it was such a joy to make. It has been rather popular ever since I made it, so would be very happy to do it again if asked"

The fun cakes! I love this, just look at the detail and amount of attention to details, lovely.

Our last but by no means least photo is from Lisa of CakeCucina http://www.cakecucina.co.uk/ a lovely themed cake which she explains "I had so much fun making this cake. The lion really is the star and I really didn't want to let it go. One little girl was very happy though and it was great to do something a little different"

How could this little fella fail to make you smile .... so get creative is the answer, be yourselves and enjoy creating the perfect cake unique to you.

Thank you ladies for your amazing creations, sorry if you were not featured (I ran out of space!) as there are some wonderful creations it's hard to choose from them all. You are all so talented and I will be happy to pass on any recommendation for any hopeful Bride. More details of these companies can be obtained through the links (I used the most appropriate ones for each company) or by contacting me through http://www.isabellaweddings.co.uk/

Go buy a cake for Sunday - go on do it!

No gifts please we're British!

What are you doing for your gift list? Are you thinking creatively or obscure and aiming for something unusual or maybe setting up home with the help of John Lewis or House of Fraser is on your wish list?

Either way there are now many different ways to give your guests the chance to celebrate in the form of a gift that will be remembered and treasured for many years to come.

Here are some of my personal favourite and more unique ways to set up a gift list ...

Give your garden the make-over it deserves by suggesting guests contribute to a budget held with these guys:

http://www.weddinggardencompany.co.uk/

These guys offer unique, pretty pieces that are quirky and show your creative side, better still they serve no purpose other than to bring a smile to your face daily:http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/

Why not choose a fabulous one off piece of art, have a family portrait commissioned or design a piece of sculptured artwork for your garden. This will bring joy and a lasting memory as to it's existence for a long time.

Prefer the holiday? It's not unheard of to ask guests to contribute towards your honeymoon, these agents offer this service and better still why not leave the holiday as a surprise (even to yourselves) until the last minute and book last minute - go on be brave!

If you are a guest and wanting to give an unusual and thoughtful gift why not try one of these gems we found recently:

Every bride deserves some rest time after planning a wedding, why not hire her a house cleaning team for when they return from honeymoon, these guys are green too!

http://www.greenandcleanlocal.co.uk/cleaning-vouchers.php

Hire a Wedding Planner! Here at Isabella Weddings we offer a package where we attend on the wedding day to run things on behalf of the couple, gift this to your bride and groom and you will be top of their Christmas card list!

Or ...

Offer to contribute towards the wedding in some way, make the favours or add to the flower budget maybe? Why not put some champagne, hot chocolate and cookies in their hotel room at the end of the evening, upgrade their hotel room or add a surprise to their honeymoon - organise a trip or a special dinner for example.

If you are short on gift pennies do not despair, If they have children why not offer to babysit for a set number of nights so the newlyweds can head out alone once the wedding excitement is over or offer your services within the wedding planning like designing a table plan or guest book. There are lots of ways to express your love and happiness for your soon to be married friends, be different and give a gift that will stay in their hearts (and possibly homes) forever.

A perfect retreat!

Recently, Rowley and I were invited to stay at The Old Swan and Minster Mill in the Cotswolds. Now owned by the De Savary family, these gorgeous old buildings have been sensitively and beautifully restored and with some modern features to suit our desire for home comforts, it is the most wonderful retreat for a country house party, a wedding weekend or simply a night away from city life.

We were met by friendly, welcoming and unpretentious staff who showed us to our room before inviting us for cream tea, our room was lovely with complimentary local beers, fruits and a decanter of home made sloe gin! The uneven floors and expanse of history blended perfectly with the modern shower and flat screen TV to ensure our stay was perfect. A cream tea with butter at perfect temperature may seem a tiny thing to comment on but attention to detail is what this place does best, thoughtful and customer focused is what sprung to mind at every stage of our visit, including the penguin hot water bottle to warm our toes at bedtime!

Amber De Savary spent the morning showing me around officially and talked me through the plans for the Spa and the Great Hall, this will be built over the Windrush River and will have a glass dancefloor so revellers can watch the water under their feet! As we checked out after a long relaxed sleep, a wonderful breakfast of locally sourced produce and a walk through the country lanes, I bumped into famous entrepreneur and owner of the Old Swan and Minster Mill Peter De Savary who was a joy to chat to, he told me some amazing stories about Madonna's wedding in Skibo Castle which the family owned at the time and of a golf club wielding Japanese business man who thought his hot water bottle in his bed was an unwanted animal visitor!

Our stay here will be in our hearts for a long time, I cannot say enough how welcome and relaxed we felt, Rowley told me it was the nicest place he'd ever stayed in and I tend to agree. If you have a big guest list and not sure what to do with all those distant relatives, halve the list and book everyone here for the weekend, get to know your guests again and spend quality time with them. We think weddings should last longer than a day and this the perfect place to do it! Call us if you want to know more about our stay, I'll be promoting this venue well as it's truly wonderful and a breath of fresh air in luxury retreats.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone