Announcing the Arrival of My First Grandson

Dylan Joseph David Greenland 6lb 15oz born on 24th July 2013

Just a little insight

When I first began blogging I was told to make sure that I did not make it too personal, keep it simply professional. Well over the past year or so I have began to realise that some people who impart advice no matter how good willed it may seem, may not necessarily be right. So after a great deal of thought I have decided to give you a little more of a window into my life. After all, how else will people get to know the real me?

No I am not going to now give you my total life story, well not just yet! but a snippet here and there cannot hurt can it?

People think that wedding and event planning is a picnic and I am always told it must be my dream job, well it is on the whole. I get to know and work with some lovely brides and other businesses, my whole world has completely opened up. I knew it would be hard work, stressful even, starting a business in this climate a lot of people thought I was mad! well maybe I am, but I guess I have always enjoyed a challenge. The last couple of years have certainly been that, what I was not thinking about was how cut throat the wedding industry can be, it can be very clicky at times and there a circles of businesses that exclude others because the do not see a fit. Personally I believe in working together, supporting each other and giving other new small businesses a helping hand if I can. Surly giving the brides or the people that we work for the best choice possible is key?

So I continue to strive away and do my best for my clients. 

This year has been exciting and exhausting on so many levels. Wedding fairs, including a couple that I have organised myself, weddings, photo shoots, general networking on top of family commitments and events. Finally at the end of May I had to take a break, I think from working non stop and constantly driving myself my brain just became overloaded and went STOP! Something that lots of my nearest and dearest were trying to tell me to do, but as always I thought I knew best.

So I did, I took a couple of weeks "rest time" and came back with a refreshed pair of eyes and then threw myself into diversifying my business a little more and organising some other events. I am currently working on a tribute evening which I hope will go down a storm but right now I am devoting a little more time to family stuff.

My eldest daughter has had a busy year, hence so have I, we started with a wedding in April, which was lovely, lots to do and she was happy to have me involved which was lovely. I will never forget the moment when I saw my Son walking her down the aisle, I was so proud and even now I choke when I think of it.

This was shortly followed by a house move and now a baby, my first grandchild is due shortly, yes Kate beat her to it, just. Because my daughter lives in Bristol which is about 4 and a half hours from me I have to put things on hold to come down, but that is fine as I would much rather be here supporting her and her husband - after all you can never get these moments back. So I will keep you posted with any news, I should know a little more tomorrow - so I must confess to being a little excited. But for now I must offer my congratulations to Kate and William on the birth of their first son and to the grandparents and great grandparents too! I am pretty sure by the end of the week we too will be celebrating so watch this space!

Cool Ways For Keeping Cool At Your Wedding

Today I was feeling at a loss of what to write about until I decided to use the rather unusual heatwave that we are experiencing currently in the UK (we do seem to go from one extreme to another!) 
I am positive that I am not the only one "melting" in this heat!
So my thoughts then turned to the brides who may be getting married at the moment - oh and the poor bridegrooms who have to swelter and suffer in their very smart suits which they probably picked out in the winter - what ideas could I come up with for keeping everyone cool during this weather.

This is what I found.....

Imagine just how tasty these Ice lolly treats would be

I love the idea of bottles of water - you could design your own label for the personal touch

Setting up a drinks station in the shade so guest can access 

drinks themselves

Here is one for the ladies, a great accessory for bridesmaids don't you think?

http://www.freshtwist.co.uk/

And here is my personal favourite

ICE CREAM!!!!!

A taste of Italy is run by Graham and his Wife, they have over 60 flavours of award winning Italian Ice creams on offer and all served from these wonderful 1930 style Tricycles, they would be a sure fire hit with your guests old and young alike.
They have an excellent range of packages too, so to find out more take a look at their webisite

http://www.a-taste-of-italy.biz/

Take a look at all the flavours, I would love to know what's your favourite?

for me I think it would be cookies and cream yum!

Fridays Fun Inspiration

How to work out your Guest List

One thing that every Bride to be thinks is that if you spend enough time, effort and money on your wedding it will be perfect and everything will be exactly right. On the whole that is often the case but realistically you should always be prepared for some hitches and challenges along the way. One area that will almost always seem challenging is the guest list. You need to invite the right people, keep it intimate, at the same time surrounding yourselves with those that you love an important to you. Its tough! It is so easy to get carried away and often does not really dawn on you until you actually come to work out the cost of the catering and the price tag becomes a reality.
I am sure just like myself if your on Facebook you have hundreds of friends and connections, but if you take a closer look most of these people are often people whose comments we "like" or occasionally exchange a few word with. We probably all have some friendships that are drifting a little, what with status updates and commenting on friends photographs I am sure that we are all lulled into the false belief that we are keeping in touch with someone. So truthfully are some of these people the ones I really should be inviting to my wedding? 

With price tags for a wedding breakfast ranging from £40 a head plus, then wine costs, buffet the catering will often be the biggest cost of the wedding budget. So it pays to think practically. 
So focus on the people who really matter to you, the ones that mean the most, the ones that for one reason or another stay in touch but maybe you don't get to spend too much time with because of the geography, or because they just have as we all do, hectic lives. I usually advise couples to use the rule - family, extended family, close friends, work colleagues and acquaintances. After all those you cant invite to the daytime you could always invite to the evening reception - that way you get the best of both worlds.


Think of things this way, when you look back at your wedding photos a year or so after your big day who will still be significant in your life? of course we don't all have a crystal ball but it might give you some clarity to who you maybe should invite to your wedding.

Then when it comes to the seating plan, if you struggle, why not enlist the help of your wedding planner, they can give you some useful tips and advice.

Hats

Hats, to wear or not to wear, if you have a wedding to attend this year it may be one question that you have on your mind. Hats at weddings are becoming more popular again and as having been a mother of the bride I was aware that it would be expected that I turn up in a hat. The first thing I would advise is before deciding one way or another is to go to a store and try some on, not everyone can get away with a hat and not everyone is comfortable in them, so play around a little before making that decision. After all there are plenty of other options with the ever popular facinators, or fancy hairbands.

The one thing you can be sure of is that you will make a statement. 




Now some people that almost always pull of various hats are the Royals - I say almost as I think we can all recall the hat that drew the most attention at Kate and Williams Wedding, 
Yes it was princess Beartrice, in fact it was irish milliner Philip Treacy who designed 36 different hats for the Royal Wedding including the one below which became a real talking point!

                                         

Two people who always pull off hat wearing is obviously the Queen and Kate Middleton

Kate always looks stunning 

Other royal and celebrity hats 

Beartrice was again making a statement with this butterfly creation

So what do you think? do you have any favourites, I personally love Victoria Beckham's hat, I thought it was unusual and elegant.

If you would like to see more of his work

http://www.philiptreacy.co.uk/