A Lancashire Wedding Fayre Not To Be Missed

Slaidburn Wedding Fayre

11th March 2012

12-4pm

At Slaidburn Village Hall

In Association with Simply Bows and Chair Covers Lancashire.

Slaidburn Village Hall provides a fine venue for a wide range of of events for the local community and for public, private and corporate functions.  The hall is situated in the middle of the beautiful Hodder Valley, which serves as a magnificent backdrop for your big day.  It is the perfect place if you wish to put your own stamp on your wedding, whether you are organising a DIY wedding or perhaps you just want the location to do all the speaking. 

We've brought some of the best local suppliers together to provide inspiration and advice for your wedding day:

Bean Photography

Simply Bows and Chair Covers

Te Amo Wedding Boutique

Adam Riley Photography

Mrs Spendloves Truly Scrumptious Cakes

Greenwoods Groomshire

Voila Venue Dressing

Laura Worden Professional Wedding Singer

Grafted & Crafted

Shutterleaf Photography

Rebecca Jane Weddings

Riverside Tea Rooms

Little Wren Designs

Utility Warehouse

Unique by Gande Jewellery

Popular Parties

Crystal Crafts

Flowers From The Heart

The Body Shop At Home

The Cake Fairy

And more to be confirmed.

The catwalk by Te Amo Wedding Boutique will take place at 2.30pm, where Te Amo will be showcasing their private label collection of designer wedding dresses from Alfred Sung, Callista, Jade Daniel's, Opulence and Charlotte Balbier.  There will also be entertainment from the fabulous Laura Worden and Riverside Tearooms will be providing a selection of canapes and Afternoon Tea delights throughout the day. 

Several competitions will also be taking place on the day, with Simply Bows and Chair Covers offering you the chance to win your wedding chair covers and you could win a BMW Mini with Utility Warehouse! Other offers taking place on the day include Voila offering the complimentary use of two pre lit decorated bay or topiary trees to be used at the Ceremony or Reception venue, when a couple book before May 2012 for their forthcoming wedding.  Greenwoods will also be offering 25% of ANY suit when a £100 deposit is placed on a booking made on the day or from a quote given on the day.

With free entry, free parking and complimentary bubbly on arrival this is one wedding fayre not to be missed!

The Modern Bride

So as you will all know from last weeks post, Simply Bows and Chair Covers are due to exhibit at The Wedding Carnival at Salford City Stadium on March 24th 2012.  The theme we have chosen as part of the 'Inspiration Zone' is 'Modern Bride.'

You may also know that Simply Bows and Chair Covers like to try something different when it comes to our wedding fayres.  A lot of companies will just display the standard chair covers and bows.  Now I am more than happy to provide this, but I also love to be a bit more creative.  A display that stands out from the rest  is more likely to pull people my way so the Wedding Carnival is the perfect excuse for me to be that little bit creative.  The inspiration zone and the organisers, All Wrapped Up Events, are inspiring us to be different and non conventional. Why have a trestle table, when we can have haybales?! 

So when it came to the modern bride, I found myself asking a lot of questions.  What is the modern bride? Who is the modern bride? What does the modern bride want?  In researching this I have found myself reevaluating my business and the way I present it.  Yes the conventional bow will always be popular, because quite frankly, when done right they look fantastic.  But with this show I am aiming to be one step ahead, with a classy, understated yet elegant look.  It is said that the vintage phase is being replaced by a more luxiorous and classy trend.  Think understated yet fabulous, soft blush petals with tones of gold and lots of light.  Make sure you visit us at The Wedding Carnival to see what we come up with! Here's a few hints...


luxe
metallic

glamorous
soft pastel tones
champagne


Gold wedding reception by www.media.theknot.com, rose & gold wedding colours by www.weddinggownguides.com, gold cutlery from Rue Magazine, dress from Rachel Zoes new 2012 collection. All via www.pinterest.com.

Cake from www.beautifulweddings.tumblr.com, blush flowers in mercury glass vases by www.charlestonmag.com, white and gold table settings by www.elizabethannedesigns.com.  All pictures from www.pinterest.com.

You're As Cold As Ice... An Ice Maiden Styled Bridal Shoot

I am so excited to be sharing these AMAZING pictures on the blog with you today.  Not only do they look amazing but the suppliers involved really are the creme de la creme of the wedding world.  I love photoshoots like this, they let your imagination go wild. We don't know the story but we know it's about love and a decision must be made. So which girl will Mr Frost choose? I'll let you decide.  Laura, of Perfect Choice Planning, was the one to bring them all together.

"To build my reputation after setting up as an event and wedding planner last year, I have been organising styled shoots. This is so I can promote myself and my skills in organising and styling, which has worked out really well as people are now coming to me, asking me to organise and style photoshoots to launch their products."

"The theme of Ice Maiden was born from the love of Winter and the urge to create an edgy and different bridal inspiration shoot in the seasonal theme using some amazing suppliers. I wanted the shoot to have a haute couture sort of feel and be out-of-the-box but also still give brides-to-be the inspiration for their wedding. I think it worked perfectly!"

"The two photographers on the day were Neil Redfern Photography and Joanne Spencer Photography. They worked beautifully together, which resulted in the most amazing images that I could have hoped for – I won’t ever stop recommending them to my clients! The Monastery was our gracious host for the day and is one of the most breath-taking and stunning buildings that I have seen. It’s an absolute hidden gem and well worth a visit."

"All of the suppliers brought their own individual unique products and talents to the shoot. I gave them the brief and told them to be as creative as they wanted – and you can see the results! Laura Coleman Flowers did a superb job creating outstanding bouquets, buttonholes and a corsage that suited the theme perfectly. Laurel Weddings provided handmade headpieces and a brilliant choker that couldn’t have been more perfect for the shoot. More known for her floristry skills, it was great to be able to use her pieces in the shoot and help her advertise them."

Photo by Joanne Spencer

"The suits were provided by the wonderful Groom Hire, Manchester. They lent us three great (and complete) suits along with cuff links and a cravat pin, which looked great alongside the simply beautiful dresses and shoes provided by Pearl Bridal Boutique. Handmade wraps provided by Wrapor suited the photoshoot style and the dresses perfectly, showing off both the wraps and the dresses brilliantly. Finally, Harry Jon MUA worked tirelessly on the extravagant and creative hair and make-up, adding the perfect elements to the shoot."

Photo by Joanne Spencer

Photo by Joanne Spencer

Photo by Joanne Spencer

Photo by Joanne Spencer

"Of course, I can’t forget to mention the three fantastic models, who posed, pouted and literally fought their way through the day. Each one took the brief and brought their personality and flair to the photoshoot. The images are a wonderful reflection on the amazing talents of everyone who took part in the day."

"It was a great deal of fun but extremely tiring and hard work organising the day. With the amount of products and people who were involved, a running order was paramount to the day, but everything worked better than I could have hoped! Everyone was lovely and really adding something special to the photoshoot – I can honestly say, I’d do it all over again."

Photo by Joanne Spencer

Photo by Joanne Spencer

"I just want to take the opportunity to thank all the suppliers, models and helpers publicly for all their talents, products, time and help on the day. They made the day, I just organised it and put the styling together."

Photo by Joanne Spencer

Joanne Spencer Photography www.joanne-spencer.co.uk/

Neil Redfern Photography www.neilredfern.com/

Harry Jon MUA www.harryjonmua.co.uk/

Wrapor www.wraporshrug.co.uk/

Laurel Weddings www.laurelweddings.com/

Laura Coleman Flowers www.lauracolemanflowers.co.uk/

Groom Hire Manchester www.groomhire.co.uk/

Pearl Bridal Boutique www.pearlbridalboutique.co.uk/
Models: Leanne, Nikki and Mark
Venue - The Monastery, Manchester www.themonastery.co.uk/

Will love conquer all?

A Taste of Lancashire: Sweetness & Light Photography

Lancashire is not short of a talented photographer or two, and today I have one of the new kids of the block.  If you're a fan of their work then please be sure to leave a comment below.

"Sweetness & Light create Beautiful, Eclectic, Soulful photography. We are based in the North West, and work through out the UK.  Our aim is to provide unique photography to each of our clients, to capture their most cherished moments to perfection.  Good wedding photography should be an investment; we treat each client as an individual tailoring their experience around their needs. Our collections contents are flexible around our couples wishes, as not every bride and groom is the same."

"I am an award winning photographer with a 1:1 degree specialising in Fashion Photography and Creative Styling; all skills which help create beautiful, eye-catching images.  Sweetness & Light prides itself on its relaxed, easy-going approach to shooting photography. We don’t believe in studio backgrounds, or tired conventional poses.

We have just recently launched our ‘The Big Day’ collection, wedding photography of the highest quality and originality, and already Sweetness & Light has won an Ice The Cake award this year for our engagement photography, a service that is complimentary with all bookings."

~

Check out the blog next week to see one of Sweetness & Light's latest engagement shoots and if you're a fan of their work, Sweetness and Light have also just launched the 'Your Little Sweetie' wedding offer...

A limited time only offer on all weddings before September 30^th 2012

Award-Winning Wedding Photography

Coverage Bridal Preparation until 7pm

Online Private Viewing Gallery

Industry Quality Editing & Re-Touching

50 most cherished Images on CD for unlimited personal printing

£1,000

This excellent collection gives brides on a budget the opportunity to experience Beautiful, soulful wedding photography. All of our collections are flexible around our client’s, as not every Bride & Groom wants the same from their wedding photography. Please contact Natalie for a personally tailored experience.

For more details please contact salutations@sweetnessandlightstudio.co.uk or call 07854 659059.

The Bridal Files: Sophie Walsh & Nathan Cox

From time to time I plan on giving you a bit of real life inspiration in this new feature.  The Bridal Files will introduce real life bride and grooms and give you a few tips and pointers.  If you would like to appear on Lancashire Bride then please email joanne@simplybowsandchaircovers.co.uk.  And here are my first couple who kindly approached me a few weeks ago.

Sophie Walsh & Nathan Cox

Date of Wedding:

 1 June 2012

 Wedding Venue:

Dunkenhalgh, Blackburn

 Engagement Story:

We got engaged on my 24th birthday (29 November 2010) when went out for an Italian meal - he kept telling me something was missing through out the whole meal and at the end of the main meal showed me a box and said I think it's this that is missing - opened to box to find a Theo Fennel engagement ring!  The one I'd been eyeing up in work for months!

 Civil or Church Ceremony:

Civil.  We don't go to church and as much as when I was younger I dreamt about getting married in the church where my parents and grandparents got married this is no longer a dream for me.

 Wedding Theme:

Purple colour, candy buffet, "world of imagination."  As we are getting married on a Friday we will be having Fish and Chips at the wedding breakfast.
 Honeymoon:

South of France - staying in Nathan's uncles house which is 2 hours away Lyon in a little village called St Dier D'Aauvergne for 2 weeks.

DIY or leave it to the professionals:

A bit of both. I'll be making the name places and table planner and making the candy buffet.  Things like invitations etc I wanted done to the highest standard.  Bridesmaid dresses - you don't need to go to bridal shops the high street have fab alternatives - we got ours from John Lewis - all flatter each girl perfect.

 Personal Touches:

Our wedding favours will represent my work - each guest will have a bottle of fragrance (luxury miniature) and the candy buffet will have mine and Nathan's favourite sweets on it.

Lancashire Supplier Recommendations:

Cards by Samantha 01925602848 - (Warrington based)
J'adore brides - 0161 980 0882.
Hera Gems - info@herasgem.com
 Any top tips for other Lancashire brides:

Each thing you want get a choice of 3 and work it out from that.  And don't worry about being picky - it's your day and everything wants to be perfect.  Also think outside the box - I love flowers but refuse to spend £1000+ on flowers so I am having a crystal bouquet.  Hera Gems from Preston have been amazing. They are supplying my bouquet, hair accessory (I'm not having a veil) and cake topper - all to match.   And hopefully once I have decided they will do something for the bridesmaids, flower girl and my mum.  It's something they can then keep for ever as something to remember the day by.  Be unique - I love Vivienne Westwood - so my shoes are the Melissa collection from Vivienne Westwood - not a traditional bride shoe at all.  And it's not what you know its who you know - working within a beauty department I have asked someone close to me I trust to do my makeup and she knows exactly what I like. 

Roll Up, Roll Up! The Wedding Carnival Is In Town

Brought to you by All Wrapped Up Events this revolutionary wedding fayre is destined to be one NOT to be missed.  Taking the wedding fayre world by storm, All Wrapped Up decided it was time that brides and grooms of the North West were inspired and motivated by fayres and not left feeling worn out, dazed and confused. 

So on Saturday 24th March 2012, from 11am to 4pm, All Wrapped Up Events will be bringing their Wedding Carnival to the streets of Manchester at Salford City Stadium, and Simply Bows and Chair Covers Lancashire are very pleased to be part of the elite group of suppliers that will be exhibiting on the day.



http://allwrappedupevents.wordpress.com/

The Carnival will be split into various sections including inspire, design, plan, stag realm, capture, coordinate and hire.  Don't forget to check out the Inspire zone as that is were Simply Bows and Chair Covers Lancashire will be dressing a wedding reception table with a modern twist.  We will also have an exhibition stand nearby.  Catwalks will also take place at 12pm and 2pm involving several local companies.

Now I'm off to get my creative thinking hat on to wow all you brides to be!

Why don't you register and receive a free goody bag on the day by clicking here.

A Taste of Lancashire: Perfect Touch

Another great local business on Lancashire Bride today.  This time its the turn of Perfect Touch Wedding Stationary based on the outskirts of Lancaster. 

"Hi there, my name’s Kelly and I live on the outskirts of Lancaster with my partner Ste, my daughter Chloe-Marie (11) and my son Charlie Jack 12 months. My business is Perfect Touch Wedding Stationery, working from home creating stunning handmade stationery."

"Perfect Touch Wedding Stationery creates stunning and unique handmade stationery using only the finest materials. I am definite a perfectionist, every single piece of work is completed to the highest standard. You can choose from one of our collections which can be tailored to match your colour theme or together we can create something bespoke especially for you. My stationery ranges include save the dates, wedding and evening invitations, RSVPs, order of service/ceremony, table plans, place cards, table names/numbers, menus, favours, post boxes and thank you cards."

"I started out creating a scrapbook for my daughter 7 years ago, then in 2007 made my brothers wedding stationery. This became my hobby and I started putting different designs together and decided to make my hobby my full time career."

Photo by www.beanphoto.co.uk

Photo by www.beanphoto.co.uk

"As a rough guide my prices start from:

Pocketfolds (these include 3 inserts, e.g. the wedding invitation, gift/accommodation details, RSVP) £3.40

Standard card style invitation £2.20

Order of service/ceremony £2.50

Place cards (printed) £1.00

Table names/numbers (double sided) £1.90

Table plans £35.00

Post boxes £15.00

I offer a free consultation within a 20 mile radius of Lancaster, when travelling outside this area a small amount is charged but is refunded once an order is placed."

Photo by www.beanphoto.co.uk

"My top tip for Lancashire brides would be to choose local suppliers as the bride and groom have the opportunity of meeting them to discuss exactly what they are looking for and the supplier can give them their best advice and guidance. I believe in the personal touch."

"My website is www.perfect-touch-wedding-stationery-lancaster.co.uk or you can email me at kellycross85@btinternet.com, via my facebook page: Perfect Touch Wedding Stationery or by phone 07843753210."

One of my many thank you cards reads: Thank you so much for all the invites, table names and table plan. They looked great, and you are such a perfectionist, they were all perfect, we loved them."

A DIY Bridal Wrist Corsage from Blush Rose

After to the huge and fantastic response we had a few weeks ago to Blush Rose' feature, I am so happy to announce that they are back on the blog, and this time with a DIY guide to making your own corsage.  Enjoy!

~

So with all you brides anticipating your grand day, I decided to create a step by step DIY wrist corsage. I fondly remember having one of these when I was maid of honour for my sister’s wedding. Because I had so much to do I needed to have it permanently on me at all times as I was afraid I would put the bouquet down at the ceremony and leave it there.

So here goes….

Brides are you ready?

 I am using
2 Large Cream Rose’s
Green Foliage (eucalyptus)
Gypsophila     (filler)
Florists wire and tape
And a jewelled bracelet with ribbon and corsage base.

 
Before we start making the corsage, we need to prepare the flowers first. Cut all the flowers short.  Then, tape each Flower with floral wire. This makes it easier to shape them according to the direction you want. Cut the leaves separately, too.

In making the wrist corsage, the first thing to do is to tape the main flowers together. So, I take the 2 cream roses and tape them together using the floral tape. Then add the foliage bit by bit.

 

As you start to add more fillers keep taping them together. Keep twisting your design so you are able to see it from all angles.

 

  

Cut the corsage down to the base and start to attach the corsage to the base of the bracelet with the ribbons.
 

This bit can be tricky but persevere (a handy hint is you can use floral glue which will not damage the flowers)….

And hey presto 

 
You have yourself a lovely bridal corsage…
Here is how it looks on as one of our models shows here.
 

If you wish for us to design flowers for your special day please do contact us. I (Clare) or a member of my team will be only too happy to create your dream day.  We are a top Lancashire and Manchester florist for vintage weddings. 

 www.blushrose.co.uk
 www.facebook.com/blushroseevents
https://twitter.com/BlushRoseEvents

 

Coming Soon: The Lancashire Bridal Files

Coming Soon To A Blog Near You...

I'm looking for Lancashire brides and grooms to be for this exciting new feature! Share your stories, top tips and provide inspiration and help to other brides and grooms.  All that is required is a couple of photos and the answers to a teeny interview.  To be featured please email joanne@simplybowsandchaircovers.co.uk.  Watch out for the first couple to be featured coming next week!

WIN your wedding chair covers PLUS 10% off voucher for everyone who enters

Simply Bows and Chair Covers Lancashire is one year old this month! How time flys eh?!

To celebrate I'm offering one lucky bride to be the chance to win your wedding chair covers.  To be in with the chance to win this prize worth £300 email joanne@simplybowsandchaircovers.co.uk with your name, address, contact number, wedding date and venue before 01/07/12.

PLUS every entrant will win a 10% off voucher towards their chair cover package with Simply Bows and Chair Covers.

* Terms and Conditions*

Entrys must be received by 01/07/12, the winner will be selected at random and notified within 14 days. The winner will be notifed by email. The wedding must be held in the North West. Offers can not be used in conjunction with any promotions. Maximum of 70 chair covers and sashes, more can be added on at standard retail price. Sashes available in organza only from a wide range of colours. No cash alternative offered. Only one entry per person. All entries from wedding fayres, Lancashire Bride and magazines will be collated before choosing one winner.



Tanya & Jon's Vintage Inspired Wedding

Tanya Cowperthwaite and Jon Lawman

14th October 2011

Mitton Hall, Lancashire

I love everything about this wedding.  From the vintage dress, to the stunning location of Mitton Hall in the Ribbly Valley.  Everything about this wedding just screams vintage.  A huge thankyou goes to Emma B Photography who sent in this wedding.  I also want to send Emma a huge dose of luck, happiness and congratulations in anticipation, as she is very soon to give birth! 

Mitton Hall is a magnificent 15th century Manorhouse located in the picturesque Clitheroe, Lancashire.  Owned by the James' Places Group, in the past years it has been romantically and tastefully refurbished to match the charm of the Ribble Valley itself, which makes it the ideal place for a Lancashire wedding.  I a going to let the pictures do the talking from here, but if you enjoy Tanya and Jon's wedding then please leave them a lovely comment below.

Credits:

Emma B Photography

Mitton Hall