The Big Debate: To Cover Or Not To Cover?

After starting off a debate on the Facebook page of Wedding Ideas Magazine over chair covers, I felt the urge to rush to their defence (understandably so!).  The debate started when we were featured in the latest issue of Wedding Ideas Magazine with the opening line "There is absolutely no excuse for boring reception chairs!"  One lady took offence to this and decided to write to this effect on the fab magazines Facebook wall how she thought chair covers were a waste of money and the biggest con in the wedding industry!  She was quickly put down with comments on how chair covers can not only transform a room and create a theme but they also cover up ugly chairs.

So heres my reasoning on why I think chair covers are necessary.  I may be bias but remember this is just my opinion and an opinion I am bound to have!

- In a dark room white chair covers are fantastic for brightening up a room. Just look at these pictures for proof.  

Before


 

After



- They can be used to incorporate your theme, such as these vintage ones.

 - Or they can add a gorgeous splash of colour to your wedding.

- Many Brides base their theme around their chair covers.  When they see the gorgeous two tone crystal organza colours we have to offer, many brides fall in love with a specific colour and then their theme follows.

- Its not just plan white covers that we have to offer either.  Alternatives can be provided in black, butter or these gorgeous jacquard vintage covers below.  Bespoke covers can also be provided.

  - Chair covers are not only pretty but useful too as most wedding venues have one set off, which tend to be, hideously coloured chairs and chair covers can hide these.

So if you're with me on this, heres a few reasons why you should book Simply Bows and Chair Covers for your wedding:
- We visit the venue to make sure our chair covers fit the venues chairs.  And we prefer it if you're there too.
- We take the time to discuss your theme and ideas, to think up something unique and special for your day.
-  All our chair covers are hand pressed before an event.
- We personally deliver and fit the chair covers ourselves, so you don't have to do it on your big day.  Its our job to make sure they look perfect.
- After the event, we will collect all the linen, meaning there is no extra hassle for you.

- Our company has hundreds of fantastic testimonials, and surely they speak for themselves!

"Just had to email you to say thank you for the gorgeous chair covers and table runners.  They were exquisite! We couldn't get over how nice the room looked with them on and what a difference it made!" 

A Taste Of Lancashire: My Fair Vintage



My Fair Vintage offers an extensive range of beautiful handpicked vintage crockery and accessories that are available to hire for any event, covering Lancashire and Yorkshire. They also offer a bespoke venue styling service for weddings and country events. This can cover styling the whole venue or purely assisting with the table settings.

Lancashire Bride spoke to Sally from My Fair Vintage to discover why the business was set up. "I started the business through a love of styling and vintage china. Whenever we entertain at home I thoroughly enjoy styling the table, choosing the flowers, picking out the linens and china. I have always had a keen interest in interiors as my family are interior designers and I have been a fashion stylist plus wedding photographer’s assistant in the past. Weddings are always such a happy event and it is so lovely to be able to work within this industry."

  

"After doing some research I decided to get out there and start adding to my vintage china collection which has now grown considerably. The reason why I think vintage china is so popular now is that not only does it look so fabulous but it is also a way for the host to show their appreciation to their guests for sharing their special day with them.  It’s the detail that makes the day truly memorable."

As a regular blog reader Sally says she gets her inspiration from all over the workd.  "There are so many ways to work the vintage look. A traditional English country garden party theme can be achieved by using vintage table linen, bunting, vintage tea cups and cake stands full of beautiful cup cakes, tea pots filled with country flowers, bon bon dishes full to the brim with sweets. Or elegant, Hollywood vintage can be achieved using glass candlesticks, etched champagne glasses, silver cutlery, monochrome floral displays.  Additionally the vintage look can be perfectly mixed with a more modern look by simply using a few key pieces."

With Sally carefully handpicking each piece herself and with her knowledge and enthusiasm for decor, we are sure that My Fair Vintage are going to be a huge hit!  

A full price list is available at www.myfairvintage.co.uk and Sally will be 

exhibiting at Samlesbury Hall Wedding Fair Sunday 4^th September and at the Spread Eagle at Sawley Wedding Fair October 2^nd.

A Taste Of Lancashire: Love Bouquets

I am very excited to feature this little Lancashire beauty today.  And I think the reason why speaks for itself...

I love these beautiful, sparkly and unique alternatives to the traditional flower bouquets, and can see why Natalie from Love Bouquet is kept very busy!

Love Bouquets provide vintage and modern crystal and brooch bouquets.  The company began when Natalie began making her own bouquet for her wedding, she then posted pics on a forum only to receive a huge response. And a business was born!

Natalies very own bouquet

Since starting the business Natalie has become super busy. ' We believe its because we offer the highest quality but at an affordable price, we also offer great customer service and most of our brides turn into friends after the wedding as we work so closely with them to create there dream bouquet.  Inspiration comes from antique jewellery. I find that if I have alot of art deco brooches it encourages me to design a bouquet based on the era. We also try to design things to fit in with current trends so if blue is next years colour we will create a bouquet to fit, when it was the royal wedding we created a bouquet themed around the union jack.' 

Love Bouquets most popular bouquet is a 10x10" round crystal posy.  It is very large for a crystal bouquet but also very pretty and can be tweaked to suit themes, colours and we usually add pictures of loved ones.  And its also very good value for money.   'Sarah’s Teardrop is my favourite design, we created it for a dear friend of mine who has cancer and we are currently raffling it off to raise money for Macmillan nurses(its currently raised over £1000.) its an elegant design and is very wow.'

 

Sarah's bouquet

Its not just bridal bouquets that Natalie offers.  Other products include bridesmaid and flower girl posys and buttonholes.  The posies make a brilliant gift and keepsakes for your bridesmaids too.

Love Bouquet are based in Bury, Lancashire but will ship their bouquets all over the world.   "They travel really well, all our bouquets are sent special delivery insured."  Make sure you check out their website http://www.lovebouquets.co.uk/ for more gorgeous pics.  And if you want to contact Natalie to discuss your bouquet please email lovebouquets@gmail.com.



Vintage Glamour with Itsy Bitsy Vintage

Itsy Bitsy Vintage is a new service for vintage loveliness in Lancaster & Morecambe, for the North Lancashire and South Cumbria area. For small vintage weddings, eclectic parties and unique events, Itsy Bitsy offers Vintage china hire, vintage inspired fascinators and accessories, party styling, wedding bricolage and fine art collages, which can be commissioned and created to capture a wedding day, with items of personal memorabilia, keepsakes and photographs sewn in as a lasting pictorial memory.

For this latest shoot Itsy Bitsy Vintage worked with several local supplier to launch their new Lancashire business http://www.itsybitsyvintage.co.uk/ and it took part on the sun terrace at The Midland Hotel in Lancaster.  And heres the results...

"We worked with the Midland Hotel on our photo shoot, to capture the feel of a vintage inspired tea party. We aimed to capture all the fun of an intimate celebration, perhaps evoking a hen party or small wedding. Undeniably pretty, the tables were styled with china and accessories from Itsy Bitsy Vintage china hire, including bunting, vintage embroidered table linen, glass & crystal vases, and vintage postcards featuring Morecambe and the Midland Hotel. Extra little touches included costume jewellery and vintage earrings draped in floral displays or saucers and vintage inspired labels."

Here at Lancashire Bride, we think that these local themed postcards would bring a great personal touch to any wedding.  Especially teamed with these goregous vintage card holders to give them a vintage twist.

"Each individual table place setting was individually mis-matched using authentic china from the 1930's to early 1960's, and selected for pretty golden and pink floral designs and hues. By mixing periods and china pieces, we can create an eclectic and more interesting feel for the bride wanting something a little different. A table place setting included a teacup & saucer, side plate, sandwich plate, napkin and silver teaspoon and cake fork. Fabulous teapots, cake stands, milk jugs, sugar bowls, silver sugar tongues and silver cake knives were also supplied on each table."

"A small area of the room was styled, playing homage to the Art Deco period of the Midland Hotel and it's heritage, and these ' tableaux' arranged and photographed in a Fine Art style. Itsy Bitsy can create individual styled areas either for photographic portraits (a mobile photo booth) or as centrepieces for cake and top tables."

 For this shoot, Itsy Bitsy Vintage worked with several local key partners to help complete the vintage inspired look. "Flowers were supplied courtesy of Flowers by-Catherine, in Itsy Bitsy teapots, glass vases and 30's hand painted teacups.  The gorgeous vintage inspired cupcakes and pastel coloured macaroons were provided courtesy of Madam Chocolat, gorgeous to look at, and even better to eat!"

We love the cake in a cup idea (cupcake-geddit!)- what a great idea for your wedding breakfast tables!

 Dotty's Vintage, a new vintage and retro clothing and accessoires shop based in Morecombe, supplied the pretty 50's floral dresses, and playsuit (bottom 2 photos), adding essential glamour to the occasion. The 1930's attire (first picture below) for the 'Art Deco' inspired shots were supplied by Itsy Bitsy Vintage, and the head pieces created by Itsy Bitsy Accessories.

Many thanks to Jonathan Bean photography who took and supplied the photos.