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!" 

Gold Dust

One of Simply Bows and Chair Covers most popular colour schemes this month has been gold and especially the handmade organza flock sashes that are shown below.

So very classy yet with a vintage twist these gorgeous sashes have been attracting brides with very different themes.  Its on this note that I thought I'd give our Lancashire Brides a bit of gold inspiration, featuring some very talented Lancashire Bride featured suppliers.

• Love Bouquets can create a bouquet to your needs and requirements so if you want your peice to fit into your colour scheme its easy-peesy!
• Champagne cocktails are an easy way to add to a gold theme (photo thanks to Martha Stewart Weddings)
• I love these chocolate invites from http://www.poshpartybag.com/.  Just choose your sparkly cover to fit your scheme and the 'Golden Ticket' acts as the invite to your wedding.  Plus the guests get a treat before the weddings even begun!
• This Ian Stuart dress named Bali from the Belle Epoque collection is a stunning vintage gown covered with french lace and embellished sequins and beads with off the shoulder sleeves.  I can't take my eyes off it!
• The hairpeice from Claire Ogden Designs is one of many intricate designs handmade by the talented lady herself.  See Tuesdays Taste of Lancashire post for more pretty pics!
• This menu card is made by What A Do Weddings- a very talented lady creating wedding stationary with a difference.
• And how cute is the little Flower Girls dress.  Dessy Group has so much choice in a wide variety of styles and colours.

If you are inspired by this post, then please write a comment to let me know!

Love Lancashire Bride x

A Taste of Lancashire: Claire Ogden Designs

Hi Claire, please introduce yourself and your line of business.

I am Claire Ogden, a Jewellery Designer based in the quaint hills of Saddleworth, in the UK, I create exquisite pieces that are individual and unique in their own right! My work stands out from the rest.  Wedding Jewellery and bespoke design are the aspects I really LOVE! I relish in the fact that my bridal jewellery is so very unique and the finishing touch to the very perfect day! I enjoy working together with my clients and giving them what they are expecting and much more.

All of my products have been created to infuse each piece with a sense of individuality, boldness and an impression made to last. ‘Once seen never forgotten’ philosophy! 

 I love to make a difference and create jewellery that shines through and gets noticed but designing each piece to last the decades and be wearable for a lifetime. All of my jewellery, wedding jewellery and hair accessories are made using the highest quality materials, I carefully handpick very small quantities to ensure you an exclusive design with limited materials made individually just for you.

 How did you get into this line of business?

I am just too creative, I have too much creative energy and needed to find something to satisfy all my bubbling creativeness! It began because I just couldn’t find the perfect accessories to make my look complete so I gave it a go and made them, from then it seems to have spiralled into Claire Ogden Designs!

Can you provide bespoke pieces?

I most certainly can!! I create a lot of bespoke pieces both bridal and non-bridal and have a lot of repeat business too.

What is your favourite piece?

This is hard to answer because I have the handmade jewellery side and the bridal side, I have to admit though that my tiaras impress me time and time again and I would have to say I would choose one of those, but I LOVE the Alice in Wonderland brooches and bracelets too!

 How much time goes into making the pieces?

Bridal pieces take time, there is a lot involved from sourcing the materials / researching the theme / era /period and creating the design, speaking with the bride to be and drawing up sketches which all takes place before the piece is created. Once the piece has been completed (which can take between 4-7hrs depending on how intricate the piece is) there are also photographs taken and sent. The finished result is always worth all the effort!

 Can you give us an idea of prices?

Hair Combs from £40 to £85.

Small Tiaras / Headband Styles from £75

Larger Tiaras from £85

Intricate Tiaras from £130

Bespoke designs prices vary but I do work to your budget and the price you want to pay.

Where can we find you?

I have an amazing blog (www.claireogdendesigns-theblogspot.blogspot.com) where you can find me and everything about me here, this also leads to my online shop. I am currently creating a new website which will be live very soon. I am always only an email or phone call away (claireogdendesigns@gmail.com) (07538 564277)

I promote my work a lot of time through word of mouth, I work a lot with social media and try to break into new circles and alternative networks by featuring in lots of different places. You can always find me on Twitter (@cogdendesigns) and my blog has become very successful and is the backbone for pushing me forward.  I run a couple of fabulous blog posts each week (Who to Know and One to Watch), which focus on other businesses in the wedding industry or creative individuals who simply need to be shouted out about.  I am currently creating a new website which will be live very soon and am in the process of producing promotional CD’s.

I also sell on other stores/websites I sell on Folksy and Etsy, WOW Thank You, Kellyeyes Boutique, By Gina Jewellery, Precious Creations, Hastings Crystal and Mootiful in Macclesfield, I do have a couple more lined up. I am currently working with Kosibah (Wedding Dress/Couture Gown Designer) creating headpieces for the new 2011 collection, the fashion show is due to go live on 01 September in London. My new website is www.claireogdendesigns.com which will be live before the end of the month!

Lancashire Bride were blown away when we first saw these images.  They are so intricate and unbelievable pretty and perfect for for any bride to be.  The enthusiasm and love for her work is definitely shown in the end result.  I can't wait to see more from this lady! x

Keeping Up With The Kardashians

So tomorrow, in what is bound to be a paparazzi dream, Kim Kardashian is to marry NBA hunk Kris Humphries.  And if her engagement ring is anything to go by, the 'event' is lined up to be the party (sorry, wedding) of the year.

Family friend, Vera Wang is said to have designed Kim's 3 dresses (!), the bridesmaids dresses and the Mother of the Brides!

Other rumours that have surfaced include:

• Kim has had 19 fittings for her wedding dresses
• The cake has reportedly cost $20,000.
• Kim has asked all her guests to wear white.
• She is believed to have signed a $500,000 deal with People magazine for the exclusive pictures.
• Kim has had to un-invite 50 people, after fire marshals ordered her to reduce the numbers for health and safety reasons. (Thanks to www.heatworld.com)

The wedding is also to be aired on E! (already home to Keeping Up with The Kardashians) as a two part series in October but I'll be updating you as soon as I can get my mitts on the pics!

Love Lancashire Bride x

A Taste of Lancashire: Simply Bows and Chair Covers

Todays feature is very close to my heart...

You may or may not know that I set up the Lancashire office off Simply Bows and Chair Covers 4 months ago.  Having worked in wedding and events I was often left disappointed with the low quality and standard products I had to work with.  I was eager to find a company that could provide high quality table linen and chair covers with a fashionable edge and exemplary service.  I then stumbled accross Simply Bows and Chair Covers and I have never looked back.

At Simply Bows and Chair Covers we provide top quality chair covers and table linen supported by impeccable and professional service.  We encourage our clients to create a theme for their big day whether it be based on a colour or a more extravagant idea and our chair covers can transform and brighten up a room.

 We manufacture all of our chair covers and table linen in house using the highest grades of fabric and to ensure we can control the quality of the products we deliver. In addition, our chair covers are made to measure each venue we work in and are professionally fitted by our team of Event Specialists. 

Simply Bows and Chair Covers have offices up and down the country.  From right here in Lancashire, down to devon and right across to Newcastle & Northumberland.  To find out more information please check out http://www.simplybowsandchaircovers.co.uk/.  To contact your Lancashire office please call Joanne on 07584 026981.



A Sneak Peak at Glamour Bridal and Prom

Just across the road from Prestons of Bolton lies a beautiful new experience for all Brides to be.  Stocking what I can only describe as fabulousness, Glamour Bridal and Prom, is the new venture from Debbie Buck of Mia Rose Tiaras. 

An Experience to Remember...

Opening up to Lancashires Brides to be on September 3rd, Glamour will be offering a unique experience that no bride will ever forget.  Debbie aims to make every bride feel like a princess when visiting the boutique.  "Our beautiful showrooms are based over 2 floors to offer you a comfortable and relaxing experience. Our ground floor showroom is dedicated to bridal gowns and features the 'Debut Lounge', a private area with comfortable seating and refreshments for you and your guests and a private dressing room. Offering you our undivided attention during a 90 minute consultation and the opportunity to try on as many gowns as you require." 

"Our bridesmaid and prom showroom is situated on the 1st floor and features a variety of contemporary and classic designs from Alexia Designs. This room features private dressing rooms and comfortable seating and refreshments for you and your guests."

Designer Dresses...

Glamour will stock some of most stunning and beautiful dresses from some of the most sought after designers including Charlotte Balbier, Amanda Wyatt. Madeline Gardner and the Calista and Sigature ranges by Alfred Sung.  Glamour will also be holding exclusive designer weekends from each designer where a representative from the designer will be present to answer any questions you may have. 

14th & 15th October- Alfred Sung Signature & Calista Collections

12th & 13th November- Madeline Gardner

13th and 14th January- Charlotte Balbier

February (date TBC)- Amanda Wyatt

And of course, you will get to see and try on lots of pretty dresses, with the hope of finding your dream dress at Glamour.  Glamour will also be the North West's exclusive stockist of Mia Rose Tiaras & Jewellery and Emmerling veils and accessories.  They will also be featuring on the catwalk at Kilhey Court on 6th November 2011 and Egerton House on 15th January.

Supplier Showcase...

Simply Bows and Chair Covers have also been very chosen to take part in a Supplier Showcase.  Along with other companies, such as Petals Wedding Stationary, Perfect Parties, LOVE Bouquets, Stephen Redfern Photography, Ladybridge Vintage Cars, Louise Professional Make Up Artist and Cats Whiskers Cake Design, Glamour will offering our expertise and advice in store in the form of a portfolio of information.  As a team we will also be dressing the shop windows with a different theme every month, starting with An Indian Summer, to give all Lancashire Brides planning their wedding some much needed inspiration!

Invite Only...

Glamour will be holding an exclusive invite only opening party on Friday September 2nd for local suppliers and businesses to get a first glimpse of the boutique before anyone else.   If you wish to attend please contact Debbie at enquiries@glamourbridal.com.

Glamour Bridal and Prom is situated on 12-14 Bank Street, Bolton, BL1 1TS and will operate the following opening times:

Mon:	09:30	-	15:00
Wed:	09:30	-	15:00
Thurs:	09:30	-	19:00
Fri:	09:30	-	15:00
Sat:	09:30	-	17:00

Lancashire Bride would highly recommend that Brides to be book their consultations NOW! Appointments for opening week are all ready filling fast!

One Month In... What July brought

So July was a pretty hectic in the world of Simply Bows and Chair Covers and Lancashire Bride.   Its hard to believe that the blog is now one month old!!  Along with speaking and meeting many local suppliers in the last month, I have also been trying to pencil in a few photo shoots to display on the blog, so keep an eye out for them.  I also had a great response to our week long hen party feature last week.

I was also very fortunate to attend the Brides Up North Tweet Up.  For those of you who read blogs you will already know of Julia and the fantastic Brides Up North blog.  Julia did a fantastic job of arranging an informal 'tweet-up' for North West suppliers at Didsbury House in Manchester.  I was lucky enough to meet some brilliant people in the Wedding Industry and I am sure that a few of us will be working together soon.  Keep an eye on Julias blog to see the pictures!

Simply Bows and Chair Covers have also been chosen to work with Glamour Bridal & Prom (based in Bolton) in their Supplier Showcase once it opens in September.  We will be working alongside other marvellous local suppliers such as Whiskers Cakes, Ladybridge Vintage Cars and Love Bouquets. This supplier showcase will be offered to brides to be in the shop as a wealth of information along with displays for inspiration for your big day.

  We will also be working together to create a different theme every month, with the first theme being An Indian Summer for opening month.  I have so many ideas and can't wait to get started and I will keep you all up to date with the pictures!  I will also be showcasing Debbie from Glamour Bridal and Prom on the blog very soon!

So what does the future hold?  I often feel like I have 2 aliases, a bit like Jekyl and Hyde, as not many people know that Lancashire Bride and Simply Bows and Chair Covers Lancashire are the same person (as i found out at the tweet-up).! For the first month I was busy promoting other fantastic local suppliers but I am aiming to display my work through Simply Bows and Chair Covers via the blog so it can be used as inspiration for wedding planning. And of course I will continue to showcase amazing Lancashire talent.

This month also sees the start of our first weddings. Its been 4 months since I first set up office in Lancashire and August is jam packed with weddings and events.  Me and my little team of helpers will be putting our luxurious chair covers out at some fantastic Lancashire based wedding venues including Stanley House and Barcelo Imperial.  Don't worry, I'll be posting all the photos in due course!


Love Lancashire Bride x