13th July 2010

Louise and Graeme’s Wedding at Cakebread Cottage

After a church wedding at The Church of the Holy Cross, Sarratt, Hertfordshire, Louise and Graeme held their wedding reception at home in the sweetly named Cakebread Cottage. Louise had spent all year doing all the preparations for a home wedding and as you will see from these pictures, it definitely paid off! Graeme is a pilot for Easyjet and his Scottish heritage was worked into some of the details of the day from the Scottish piper that piped them into marquee to the Ceilidh dancing, and of course Graeme’s kilt!

Louise looking radiant in her dress

Louise and Graeme were married at The Church of the Holy Cross

Gorgeous pinks and purples used in the bouquets

Making their way to the reception

The reception was held at home in Cakebread Cottage

What wonderful colours in the decorations!

The guests make their way to the marquee in the field behind the cottage


Scottish piper piped them into the marquee


Top tier of cake made by Graeme’s mum

Ceilidh dancing in full action!


The marquee lit up at night

22nd June 2010

Vintage wedding in Jersey

We are excited to show you more of this lovely vintage wedding. The venue is Longueville Manor, on the stunning island of Jersey, and it was styled by wedding planners, Grace & Tailor. The whole idea for the wedding came from a simple square of lace, found by Gemma, the bride, in a vintage store. The dress was made in Spain, in the style of a 1930’s wedding dress. The bridesmaids’ dresses all had an individual twist to suit each of them and the brief for the hairdresser was ‘to look like they were about to walk down the catwalk’. Their hair was amazing, as were their shoes! Being a shoe-aholic I was very envious of the pairs of Laboutin, Chanel and Jimmy Choos that lay around the room.

Gemma wanted to keep everything as locally sourced as possible. The flowers were all grown in the grounds of Longueville Manor, and arranged by the hotel’s own florist. The vegetables for the meal were also all grown in the hotel’s vegetable garden. The bridesmaids gifts were bracelets made from Jersey Pearl.

The entertainment throughout the day was very well coordinated. Nick, the groom, is a musician so having music at their wedding was very important to him. First there was a string quartet when Gemma walked down the aisle. During the service, Nick’s fellow band members performed a song they had written especially for the couple. Then a jazz quartet played during the afternoon reception. After the meal, while the marquee was being made ready for the evening, an acoustic performance took place by the pool.

During this, suddenly a Scottish band walked onto the lawn, loudly playing their bagpipes and drums. It was a great surprise for Gemma and Nick – and it gave me goose-bumps is was so good!

Finally, Gemma’s father, a huge Beatles fan (being a Liverpudlian himself!) had brought in a Beatles cover band to play in the evening, called The Classic Beatles. They were the best cover band I’ve ever heard.

The party continued way into the night, and it was with great reluctance that I managed to tear myself away from the wonderful hospitality of the bride and groom and their families.

Gemma in her dress made from Portuguese lace

Gemma in her dress made from Portuguese lace

Arriving at the ceremony - both are very excited!

Arriving at the ceremony - both are very excited!

In the grounds at Longueville Manor

In the grounds at Longueville Manor

The bridesmaids looking like they've just stepped off the catwalk

The bridesmaids looking like they've just stepped off the catwalk

Marquee styled by Grace & Tailor

Marquee styled by Grace & Tailor

The seating plan in an old traveling trunk

The seating plan in an old traveling trunk

Table centre pieces and room decor - all flowers from the garden at Longueville Manor

Table centre pieces and room decor - all flowers from the garden at Longueville Manor

Nick & Gemma

Nick & Gemma

The acoustic band by the pool

The acoustic band by the pool

The Scottish band

The Scottish band

The brilliant Classic Beatles cover band

The brilliant Classic Beatles cover band

Party time

Party time

Gemma & Nick Swietlik - their own box of daisies

Gemma & Nick Swietlik - their own box of daisies

22nd December 2009

Wedding in Lavenham, Suffolk

Ben and Holly recently married at the picturesque tudor hotel, The Swan, in Lavenham, Suffolk. A December wedding brought with it a Christmas theme, and the couple brought sparkle to the occasion with clever details, flowers and colours. All that was missing was snow to complete the Christmas fairytale theme!

The picturesque tudor hotel, The Swan

The picturesque tudor hotel, The Swan

The Ceremony

Holly's cape and bouquet perfectly complimented the winter wedding

The elegant button holes that complimented Christmas

A traditional ivory rose is turned into a stylish Christmas button hole

The bridesmaids wore a lushious green

The bridesmaids wore a lushious green with corsages in ivory & green

Original and fun, the favours were Christmas tree decorations

Original and fun, the favours were Christmas tree decorations

With fairy lights adorning the room, the couple take their first dance

With fairy lights adorning the room, the couple take their first dance

15th December 2009

Gift & Accessories Ideas

While out doing your Christmas shopping, you’re probably thinking about what to buy as gifts for your wedding party in the coming year, and what accessories you might want to buy to go with your dress! Our new Wedding Directory which will launch in early 2010, will provide you with ideas and inspiration. We will source original and unique suppliers from everything from gifts to jewellery to decorations, to help make your wedding as special as can be.

For now, here are some of our suggestions for gifts and accessories  -

Accessorise your wedding dress with a vintage brooch

Accessorise your wedding dress with a vintage brooch

A necklace is a popular gift choice and especially says wedding when with Pearls

Jewellery is a popular gift choice and ideal as you can match it with your Bridemaids outfits and give them something special and new to wear on the day.

Sometimes even the men receive gifts!

Sometimes even the men receive gifts!

This delicate bracelet was bought at Spitalfields Market, London

This delicate bracelet was bought at Spitalfields Market, London

unusual hair accessories can be worn by the Bride, or her bridesmaids to complete the look

Hair accessories can be worn by the Bride, or her Bridesmaids to complete the look and complement the colours of the wedding.

A gift for the Bridesmaid from Liberty, London

A gift for the Bridesmaid from Liberty, London

In future Blog posts, we’ll be listing where you can source these ideal gifts and accessories…