Inspired? I Certainly Am

There are many parts to being a wedding planner, you have to be organised, creative, and certainly a people person. I have always enjoyed meeting new people and after being a teacher in a nursery school for over 20 years i am used to meeting, greeting and dealing with people from all walks of life. My biggest claims to fame is i used to teach the daughter of the drummer in depeche mode, see so i have even rubbed shoulders with celebrities!

Establishing a good business also means that you need to network and get to know other reputable businesses within your area (this is where being a people person helps).
As a wedding planner i really want to make sure i am able to provide couples with choices, I believe that one size does not fit all, and that each bride is an individual and want's to put their own personal stamp on their special day. After all its often those personal touches that people remember. With so many choices, themes and locations availible it can be at times a little overwhelming, so this is where i come in, and in my bid to offer an exceptional service to my clients i do my best to source other small and large businesses for my database.

So today off i went to Northallerton, only short drive away from where i am based. Here i have found a little jewel, hidden away in a little yard just off the high street is the studio and gallery of Sue Simpson.
Sue runs a business called Inspired by script.
A Calligrapher, lettering Artist and Creative bookbinder she has over 20 years experience, she offers a Bespoke service.
Wedding Stationary, Guest books, Place Cards, Photo Albums, and Seating Plans to name but a few.

What struck me instantly about Sue was her warmth and how she welcomed me into her gallery. It is instantly obvious to anyone that she really cares about her work and really puts her heart and soul into everything she does.

The standard of her work is really high and i was very impressed by what i saw. So for anyone who is looking for someone to take care of their wedding stationary and wants that personal touch then Sue Simpson is your lady. So why not check out her site or even go and visit her gallery in person as i am positive you will recieve a warm welcome.


http://www.northyorkshireweddings.co.uk/7.html

Lily Allen & Sam Cooper, Congratulations!

It's lovely to see a beautiful smile on the face of Lily Allen as she marries Sam Cooper at St James the Great Church in Cranham, Gloucestershire.

She looked radiant in her dress by french designer Delphine Manivet, a 1920's inspired dress which had some echo's of the Duchess of Cambridges wedding dress back in April.
With long lace sleeves, a sweetheart neckline, lace overlay and long train she looked a picture of happiness.

The ceremony took place with less than 100 guests, and Lily was given away by her father Keith Allen. During the Ceremony the couple announced the happy news that Lily is in fact 4 months pregnant, which is delightful in the wake of her previous miscarriage.

Lily and Sam continued with a reception held at their country home, an All Night Garden Party for 300 guests too place. At the reception there are reports of a red telephone box full of beer,  a pimms stand, cupcake stand and a roast pig. Lily was apparently looking after her guests by handing out kebabs  at 3am.  I must say " i like your style Lily"

Inspiration for wedding venues

With so much choice nowadays its sometimes a little overwhelming thinking of what will make your perfect venue. In the UK couples have to marry at a licensed premisis, which does rather restrict outdoor weddings, but hopefully this will be something that will change in the near future.
Deciding on a venue is something that you should carefully consider,do you already have an idea of a venue, what kind of wedding are you planning? formal traditional or more casual and relaxed? think about your personalities, and interests? consider the amount of guests that you are planning to invite, will it be suitable. Access for all those with disabilities.

Here are some suggestions and inspiration for you

A Traditonal Church Wedding

A Civil Ceremony in a local hotel

How about a Chic and Glamourous Marquee

Something more formal perhaps? a Grand Stately Home

Now let us start thinking a little outside the box

How about an Amusement Park

or

                                                                      An Aquarium

How about getting away from dry land and consider a reception or ceremony onboard a boat

Art Galleries

Or even a Museum - fancy having a dinosaur as a guest?

Traditonal Castles

A real fairytale wedding

or beautiful and tranquil Botanical Gardens

Or a Yurt if you want that Outdoors feeling

A peaceful Woodland Wedding

Or funtime at the Zoo

Or why not Steam Ahead with this option

Heritage Sites and National Trust locations provide a beautiful backdrop for any photographs

or if you really want that outdoor feel, a farmyard or barn wedding for that Rustic Feel.

The options are endless, and dont forget its your personal touches and style that are added to the day, that will be the ones that all your guests remember.

Big Budget doesnt always mean the best weddings,

Congratulations to the Bride and Groom

Here are some photos of a very beautiful bride on her special day, Kirstie is just one reason why i do my job, to see the joy and happiness on Kirsties face, i hope she gets her call very soon.

Inspirational Bride

Cystic Fibrosis is an illness that is close to my heart, my little girl Caitlin is 9 and was diagnosed when she was 3 yrs old with this awful life threatening condition. Being so powerless to change things i decided that i really wanted to do something that could help them directly. When your challenged with any kind of illness day to day life can be a struggle let alone planning a wedding. I began to think that as a wedding planner could i be of any help to any couples with Cystic fibrosis? So i jumped onto the CF Trust forum in the UK and offered my services to any future brides and grooms who needed any help in organising things for their big day. I had thought i would only get one response but was amazed and touched when i heard from 6 couples! of course i was going to help each and every one of them.
Kirstie, came to me for some inspiration, a little lost after doctors had told her she was not well enough to travel abroad for her dream wedding she did not really know what to do next. I called her and after a long chat we came up with some ideas, we needed a perfect venue. After looking at lots of places we found one, and today months down the line her wedding became reality.
You may think that this is nothing out of the ordinary until i tell you that Kirstie is waiting for a double lung transplant, is on permenant oxygen and has been told that she has around 6 months to live without that transplant. The last 4 days she has spent in the High Dependancy Unit of her local hospital with her lungs struggling to take a breath. No one really knew if today was really going to happen.  Well i am so happy to say it did. Even though i only played a small part in helping her to turn her wedding into reality, i am touched and inspired by this young woman's bravery.  I have made good friends with many people with CF and they all have one thing in common, they are such fighters and wont let anything bring them down.

Below i have posted the link for anyone to see a clip of her wedding which was filmed for the local news.http://www.itv.com/westcountry-west/

also here is the link if you wish to know more about the Cystic Fibrosishttp://www.cftrust.org.uk/

Winter Wedding Theme

Here is a little inspiration for Winter Themed Weddings, Silver, White, Pale Blue all colours that are a popular feature of this theme.

                                                                Silver, White & snowflakes

                                              Simple and easy to put together table decorations

                                                                 Blues and Silver

                                                    perfect outfit for a winter wedding

 Beautiful effect of Trees, these can be sprayed silver or white and to add a little extra sparkle use  fairy lights and crystals

Looking at Themed Weddings

Thinking of a Wedding out of the ordinary? Don't want to follow tradition? why not consider some of these themes

Wacky wedding Themes

 

                                                                              Super hero Weddi

              Fancy going green with a Shrek wedding

                                                      How Sweet, Hello kitty

Centrepiece Inspiration

In a time where everyone is having to watch their pennies i have been looking at some rather inexpensive and clever ways of creating a centrepiece

A great idea would be to use tree decorations, with an array of colours available there is no reason why this idea should be just limited to christmas weddings. Find some nice glass bowls, try looking in charity shops for inspiration, they often have some really nice glasswear or you could purchase it online at a very reasonable price.

How about books for an inexpensive and unusual idea, something a little different and they can be tied together with any colour ribbon to co-ordinate with your chosen theme.

Great for a beach theme, and fairly simple to put together, again using different coloured candles or sand to bring together your colour scheme.

what about using some wheat, great for a country wedding and again using different coloured ribbons to tie in with your colour scheme. An addition to this fruit used creativly around the base could give more impact

How about using lollypops for those with a sweet tooth

Another popular choice would be to use twigs in vases, these can be sprayed white or silver and depending on how creative you feel you could add decoration such as crystals or turn it into a wish tree by making co-ordinated cards with ribbons on, guest can then fill out a wish for the happy couple and later hang it on the branches. Certainly an alternative to a guest book.

Candles, classic and can be used in a variety of ways

Feathers can make a dramatic impact, again be imaginative with your colours

Finally i found this unusual centrepiece, ideal for a childs table perhaps or for a childrens party decoration