Merry Christmas from Endless Love

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best for a Happy New Year.

I hope to have the opportunity to work with you in 2011.

Caroline.x

To invite or not to invite children to your wedding

When considering your invitation list it's important to think about whether you want to include children at your wedding or if you would prefer an 'adults only' celebration.

Saying no to children
If you don't want to have children at your wedding then simply don't invite them. But how do you tell your friends and family that you don't want their children to attend your wedding? Here are a few ideas:

• State on the invitations that the wedding will be adults only
• Call friends and family and tell them in advance of your intention to avoid causing offence. If they are true friends they will understand.

You need to be quite cautious on this one. It’s not fair to invite one child just because you think they would make a great flower girl/page boy for the photos!

As a parent myself I wouldn’t be offended if my daughter wasn’t invited to a wedding – I would look on it as an opportunity to have a child free day and really enjoy myself with my husband. Weddings are not the most exciting event for young children and I know that my daughter would have just as much fun (or maybe more) spending the day with her grandparents! However, not all parents will feel this way and you may find yourselves receiving a few negative RSVPs.

Saying yes to children

If you do decide to invite children to your wedding make sure there is something for them to do during the parts of the day when they are likely to get restless - during the ceremony and speeches for example. Here are a few ideas of things to keep the kids amused:

• Provide all the children with a goody bag with a few quiet toys to play with, colouring sets, sticker books etc.
• Think about food and drinks for the children. Your venue or caterer will usually supply a smaller version of your menu or a separate menu for children. Most children will be happy with a jug of squash. If in doubt, ask their parents for advice.
• If you have a lot of children attending consider hiring a company like Kidzone who will run a creche for as long as you require to keep the children amused.

It's important to remember that its your wedding day so is ultimately your decision whether or not to invite children.

If you would like to find out how Endless Love could help you plan your wedding, contact us now for a free, no obligation consultation.

 

Photo Credit: Highland Wedding Bells

A Royal Wedding

As I'm sure most of you know Prince William and Kate Middleton have announced their engagement and the date is set for Friday 29th April 2011 at Westminster Abbey.

All of the wedding industry is speculating about the design of the wedding, what Kate will wear, who will be on the guest list?  Well, YOU could be on that invite list!  It has been reported that 100 members of the public will be invited to the royal wedding.
'William and Kate wanted the British people involved at a deeper level than simply holding street parties,' one insider at St James’s Palace revealed.  'They were crystal clear on this from the outset and were delighted when the idea of a random selection was mooted.'  'Those lucky enough to land an invitation will only find out when it drops on their door mat.'

I would absolutely love it if an invitation dropped through my door, what a fantastic experience to actually be there on the day!  Hmmmm, what would i wear?!

Wedding Facts

Today I thought I'd share with you some interesting facts about weddings that I've been gathering the past few months:

 

• Brides carry or wear "something old" on their wedding day to symbolize continuity with the past.
• The "something blue" in a bridal ensemble symbolizes purity, fidelity, and love.
• Tie the knot comes from Roman times, when the bride wore a girdle tied in knots that the groom later untied.
• About 70% of all brides sport the traditional diamond on the fourth finger of their left hand
• The bride stands to the groom's left during a Christian ceremony, because in bygone days the groom needed his right hand free to fight off other suitors.
• Engagement and wedding rings are worn on the 4th finger of the left hand because it was thought that a vein in that finger led directly to the heart. The vein was called vena amori, or the vein of love, and early writings on matrimonial procedure suggested that it would be appropriate for one's wedding ring to be worn on that special finger.
• Queen Victoria started the Western world's white wedding dress trend in 1840 - before then, brides simply wore their best dress.
• In English tradition, Wednesday is considered the "best day" to marry, although Monday is for wealth and Tuesday is for health. Saturday is the unluckiest wedding day, according to English folklore. Funny, it's the most popular day of the week to marry!
• British law states that for a wedding in the UK to be legal the venue needs to be licensed by the local registrar it must have a roof and be moored to its foundations, and must take place between 8am and 6pm, an antiquated law first drawn up before electricity to stop people accidentally marrying the wrong person in the dark!

The Any Campaign has been set-up to try to get these laws relaxed so that we can all have the wedding of our dreams!  Please visit their website and sign the petition - I have!

 

If you would like help planning your wedding please contact Endless Love for a free, no obligation consultation.

Thank you from Mother of the Bride

I just wanted to share with you the lovely thank you note I received from the mother of the bride from a recent wedding - I'll let her do the talking...

"As Mother of the Bride I was pleased that I didn’t have to deal with any problems on the day and that all cash payments to suppliers were taken care of.  Everything ran very smoothly and I enjoyed the day knowing you were there to make sure it all DID run to perfection.

I would always recommend that a Mother of the Bride has a planner at least for the day. It meant I could really relax and enjoy my daughter’s wedding.


Caroline, you did a wonderful job and thank you."


If you would like to find out how Endless Love could help you plan your wedding please contact us for a free, no obligation consultation. 

Wedding Planning Workshops

Would you like to plan your own wedding but don't know where to start?


Come along to our interactive workshop that will give you the knowledge and tools needed to plan a stress free wedding on budget.

Sunday 13 March 2011

9.00am - 12.30pm

Ufford Park Hotel, Golf & Spa

You will go home knowing how to have a stress free wedding, how to save money, how to work with suppliers and much more.

£50 per person or £75 for two

Places are limited | Refreshments will be provided


"The fee for the workshop was small compared to the money we saved"
Kathryn Quinton, Wedding in July 2010

If you would like to know more about the workshops, please call me on 01473 681201 or 07906 705191. You can also contact me via my website www.endless-love.co.uk
   

Post Wedding Blues

You spend months or even years planning your wedding so its not surprising that 1 in 10 brides suffer from post wedding blues. With all the wedding talk, planning and thoughts running through your mind its difficult to return to 'normal' life again after your wedding. Here's some suggestions for getting over the post-wedding blues:

• Prolong your wedding celebrations by getting everyone together for breakfast or lunch the day after the wedding
• Invite some friends round to look through your photographs or watch your wedding video
• Get the bridal party together for a meal out - they will all enjoy reminicing about your special day
• Make some time together, plan a special meal or visit the cinema, remember where you used to go when you first started dating?

Your wedding day is the start of your married life together - make sure you talk to each other when things get tough. Marriage is not easy - you do have to work at it ...and if you really do miss the planning, start thinking about your first anniversary celebrations!

 

If you need any help, contact Endless Love - we can help with your special event as well as your wedding!
  

Love Quotation

"I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out."



Larry S. Chengges
    

Wedding Reading - V

I'll Be There For You by Louise Cuddon

I'll be there my darling, through thick and through thin


When your mind's in a mess and your head's in a spin

When your plane's been delayed, and you've missed the last train.

When life is just threatening to drive you insane

When your thrilling whodunit has lost its last page

When somebody tells you, you're looking your age

When your coffee's too cool, and your wine is too warm

When the forecast said "Fine", but you're out in a storm

When your quick break hotel, turns into a slum

And your holiday photos show only your thumb

When you park for five minutes in a resident's bay

And return to discover you've been towed away

When the jeans that you bought in hope or in haste

Just stick on your hips and don't reach round your waist

When the food you most like brings you out in red rashes

When as soon as you boot up the bloody thing crashes

So my darling, my sweetheart, my dear...

When you break a rule, when you act the fool

When you've got the flu, when you're in a stew

When you're last in the queue, don't feel blue
'cause
I'm telling you, I'll be there.

Come and Meet Endless Love

Endless Love Wedding Planners will be exhibiting at the following wedding fair this weekend:

The Suffolk Wedding Show
Sunday 10 October
11am-3.30pm
Wherstead Park, Ipswich

Come and meet Caroline and find out more about wedding planners and how Endless Love will exceed you expectiations, not your budget.

You make all the decisions, we do all the hard work!
  

Play review: For Better For Worse

Last Saturday I went to the Seckford Theatre in Woodbridge to watch the Deben Players latest production; For Better For Worse.


The play is set in the warm month of July, present day. It’s the morning of Sheila’s wedding day.

It's the last few remaining hours leading up to the wedding of Sheila, Dorothy and Trevor's daughter. Unfortunately, the morning runs far from smoothly and it's not long before "the best laid plans" begin to spiral out of control. What is wrong with the bridesmaid? Where is the groom? Who is Emmanuel? Why have the emergency services turned up at the door? and is Victoria all she would have us believe?

The play takes you on a journey through a morning of what should be a Brides' happiest day. This comedy has a farcical nature based on the tried and tested structure of mishap, mayhem and misunderstanding.



The play is no longer showing as I attended the final night.  However, if it is shown again I'd thoroughly recommend a visit.  It's a fab night out for you and your bridesmaids and will get you in the 'wedding' mood!

Wedding Reading - IV

On Your Wedding Day Author Unknown

Today is a day you will always remember

The greatest in anyone's life
You'll start off the day just two people in love
And end it as Husband and Wife
It's a brand new beginning the start of a journey
With moments to cherish and treasure
And although there'll be times when you both disagree
These will surely be outweighed by pleasure
You'll have heard many words of advice in the past
When the secrets of marriage were spoken
But you know that the answers lie hidden inside
Where the bond of true love lies unbroken
So live happy forever as lovers and friends
It's the dawn of a new life for you
As you stand there together with love in your eyes
From the moment you whisper 'I do'
And with luck, all your hopes, and your dreams can be real
May success find it's way to your hearts
Tomorrow can bring you the greatest of joys
But today is the day it all starts

Endless Love Bridal Fashion Show

If you haven't heard already, I'm currently organising the very first Endless Love Bridal Fashion Show.  Here are the details:

Thursday 21 October

Belstead Brook Hotel, Ipswich IP2 9HB

7.30pm

Tickets £10 in advance (£15 on the night)
Group booking of 4 just £35 in advance (£50 on the night)
Ticket includes a glass of sparkling wine, and all brides will receive a fantastic goody bag!

The evening will be compared by BBC Radio Suffolk Presenter Rob Dunger

Tickets can be purchased in advance from the Endless Love stand at the following wedding fayres:

East Anglia Wedding Fayre
Sunday 19 September
11am-4pm

Belstead Brook Hotel, Ipswich

Suffolk Wedding Show

Sunday 10 October
11am-3.30pm

Wherstead Park, Ipswich


You can also buy your tickets from Caroline Gould directly by calling her on 07906 705191 or emailing caroline.gould@endless-love.co.uk

Come and 'Like' our new Endless Love Bridal Fashion Show page on Facebook

Wedding Reading - III

Our Great Adventure by Pamela Dugdale

We are today still dizzy with the astonishment of love.


We are surrounded by affection - by smiles and kindliness, by flowers and music and gifts and celebration.

Yet they enclose a silence 
where we are close with one another.
My eyes see only you. 
I hear nothing but the words
we speak to one another

This is the day we start out life together.

This is our new beginning.

Getting the most out of Wedding Fairs

September tends to bring the start of Wedding Fair season.  It can be quite overwhelming walking into a room full of wedding suppliers so here's my top tips for getting the most out of wedding fairs:

• Look at the stand – is it well presented, are the people well presented?
• Look at the exhibitor list in advance and identify the suppliers you want to speak to.
• Does the supplier ask you questions? Do they seem interested in your wedding?
• Are they offering you a sample of their work?
• Don’t be sucked in by ‘one day only’ special offers. If they are a good company, you should get the best deal whenever you choose to purchase.
• Take someone with you so you can discuss your ideas.
• Take a camera and a notepad – use them!
• Once you have looked around have a coffee, sit down and reflect on what you have seen. Decide which suppliers you may want to have a further chat with.

Most important of all - enjoy yourself!

Wedding Reading - II

Why Marriage? by Mari Nichols

Because to the depths of me, I long to love one person,

With all my heart, my soul, my mind, my body...
Because I need a forever friend to trust with the intimacies of me,
Who won't hold them against me,
Who loves me when I'm unlikable,
Who sees the small child in me, and
Who looks for the divine potential of me...
Because I need to cuddle in the warmth of the night
With someone who thanks God for me,
With someone I feel blessed to hold...
Because marriage means opportunity
To grow in love in friendship...
Because marriage is a discipline
To be added to a list of achievements...
Because marriages do not fail, people fail
When they enter into marriage
Expecting another to make them whole...
Because, knowing this,
I promise myself to take full responsibility
For my spiritual, mental and physical wholeness
I create me,
I take half of the responsibility for my marriage
Together we create our marriage...
Because with this understanding
The possibilities are limitless.

Real Wedding - Kathryn & Lee

I was very privileged to be involved in the recent wedding of Kathryn & Lee held at All Manor of Events, just outside Ipswich.


This was a strange situation for me as I was a guest as well as wedding planner - I was even one of their witnesses!

The wedding day was glorious and Kathryn and Lee got all of their family and friends involved to make it a very personal wedding ceremony and day for them. Here are the details of their day including those personal elements:

Lee's brother and best man, Leon, played guitar for the bridal party procession down the aisle. Kathryn's chief bridesmaid and flower girl (my daughter, Darcey) entered first, followed by the other bridesmaids, who were escorted by the ushers. Kathryn then entered with her dad.
Kathryn's brother James, along with the registrar, took the ceremony and actually married them. He was fantastic - he made it really personal to them, it was a very moving ceremony. Lee’s sister, Laura read the only reading of the ceremony.
The wedding breakfast followed and then came the time for the speeches. My favourite line was from the groom, Lee talking about his new wife: “I know everyone says this but I will fight them all – I really am the happiest man alive!”
Later in the evening, the groom, best man, ushers and some friends performed a set as covers band 'Kings of Leon Smith'.

Suffice to say, it was a fabulous day that went by without a hitch. Here's a few photographs from the day:

 The tables were all named after trees

The Groomsmen L-R; Stephen (Usher), Leon (Best Man), Lee (Groom), Alex (Usher) 

The Bridesmaids L-R; Clair, Laura, Michelle and Darcey in front 

Leon plays guitar as the bridal party walk down the aisle

 Kathryn’s brother James takes the ceremony

 Mr & Mrs Smith!

The main wedding cake was served as dessert and these cupcakes were given to the evening guests

The first dance

 ‘Kings of Leon Smith’

Kathryn and Lee had a fantastic wedding day and I wish them all the very best for their future lives together.


Congratulations Mr & Mrs Smith!




Photographer - Birks Photography

Wedding Reading - I

This post starts a series of posts with suggestions for wedding readings:

Wedding by Anonymous

If you go to a wedding, here’s what it means


No one wears trainers and no one wears jeans

Your best new clothes are all that you wear

And everyone in your whole family is there

Even some cousins that you’ve never known

And the grown-ups all say -
Oh, how much you have grown!?



So everyone’s sitting in one big room

(except Sally and Richard, the bride and groom)

Then all of a sudden things quieten down

And music starts playing and people turn round

And really slowly, Sally walks in

And she’s prettier now than she’s ever been.




She’s a bride and she’s really great looking today

(when normally she looks just kind of okay)

She walks in and stands with her dad for a while

As Richard her boyfriend, awaits in the aisle

His hair is all combed and he’s wearing a tie

And then Sally's mum starts to sniffle and cry.



And now it comes time for the ‘get-married’ part

The Registrar says that we’re ready to start

So she talks and she talks about serious things

Then their friend Chris steps up holding two rings

He gives one to the groom and the other to the bride

Then his girlfriend, Janaki pulls him aside.



Then Sally and Richard kind of look at each other

And another big sniffle comes from Sally’s mother
And Sally and Richard put on the wedding rings

And they talk and they promise each other some things

They promise that they’ll love each other a lot

And help one another no matter what

And be with each other the rest of their life

Then the Registrar says “Now you are husband and wife”.


Then everyone’s in such a big happy mood

And you go to a party with very much food

Where you dance with some grown-ups and drink some wine

And then do a conga-dance in one long line

Till Sally and Richard drive off in a car

and everyone’s thinking how happy they are

So we all yell goodbye and throw handfuls of rice

Then the whole thing is over. Weddings are nice!

Searching for 'The Dress'

Part of my job involves going along with brides to search for their perfect dress – as a wedding planner, I can provide a no nonsense, impartial opinion and relate that to how the style of dress will fit with the overall theme and design of the wedding.


I thought I’d share with you the story of my search for a wedding dress:


I did what every bride to be does, as soon as I got engaged I bought loads of wedding magazines and started turning the page corners of the wedding dresses I liked. A pattern emerged and there was one particular style of dress that I continually went back to – it was similar to the picture below. A strapless corset style bodice with a very full skirt with lots of layers.

The day soon arrived and I took my mum to a dress shop to start trying on some dresses. I picked out several dresses that I liked in the shop – all very similar to the above design. I excitedly went into the fitting room with the dress designer and put on the first dress – it felt good, although the skirt did seem quite big! I went outside to show my mum and look in the mirror – my mum’s reaction was not really what I’d expected – she couldn’t stop laughing! She said I just needed a pair of wings and a wand and I could be on top of a Christmas tree – I looked in the mirror and completely agreed with her. Whilst it was a beautiful dress, the style was all wrong for me and just looked ridiculous. So now I was in a tricky situation, all the dresses I’d looked at were in this style, so now that I’d discovered this wasn’t right for me I was stuck – I didn’t know where to start! Luckily the dress designer said she would take a look around the shop and pick out a selection of dresses that she thought would suit me and my shape. I tried on several different dresses and ended up going back to the first dress that was picked out for me.  I still had the fitted bodice and a full skirt but the style was much more subtle and suited my shape.  Here’s a picture of me with my mum on my wedding day:

So, I guess the moral of this story is to try not to set your heart on something purely based on a picture. Go to the dress shop with an open mind and be prepared to try on some different styles. Allow the dress designer to have some input too – they fit brides in dresses every day so they really do know what they’re talking about.

Good luck with your search for ‘The Dress’, if you would like a no nonsense impartial opinion when dress shopping contact us to find out how Endless Love could hep you.

Picture credit: Ideal Wedding Dresses

Come and Meet Endless Love

Endless Love will be exhibiting at two wedding fayres later this year - so get the dates in your diaries!

On Sunday 19 September we will be at the Belstead Brook Hotel at the East Anglia Weddings Fayre between 11am and 4pm.

On Sunday 10 October we will be at Wherstead Park at the Suffolk Wedding Show between 11am and 3.30pm.

Both shows have free entry.

Come and say hello and find out more about the Endless Love bridal fashion show and our wedding planning workshops.

See you there!

Love Quotation

"When you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible"

From the film When Harry Met Sally

Money Saving Tips

I recently wrote an article for B&G Suffolk with some tips for where you can save money on your wedding - click here to read the article.

Enjoy!

Green Wedding Tips

Going 'Green' on your wedding day can save you money as well as helping to save the environment - here are my top tips for a green wedding:

• Use dried flower petals instead of confetti (a lot of venues are now insisting on this)


• Use seasonal flowers in your bouquets and floral decorations


• Use seasonal foods, especially vegetables and use local suppliers to cur down on 'food miles'


• Choose a venue that is local to you and the majority of your guests


• Send your invitations via email and set-up a wedding website that guests can visit with all the information they will need about your wedding


• Consider an environmentally friendly mode of transport to the wedding - a horse & carriage perhaps, an electric car, or even a tandem bicycle!

Visit our website for more information on how Endless Love can help you have a 'green' wedding.

Happy Planning!

Picture Credit: Weddzilla Blog

Love Quotation

"Happy marriages begin when we marry the ones we love, and they blossom when we love the ones we marry"

Author Tom Mullen

Supplier Focus - Fabulous Bags by Libellule

A friend of mine, Louise has recently launched a new venture; Libellule - Handmade vintage style handbags...each one unique and stitched with love!

I visited her at her stall at Ipswich Vintage and Modern Market on the Waterfront last weekend. Here's a few pictures of her stand and her fabulous bags:

As you can see, her talents are not limited to bags, she also has a collection of beautiful handmade jewellery including necklaces and bracelets.

I think these bags would be great for bridesmaids, they are surprisingly spacious so can hold all of the essentials and still look elegant as they hang from the wrist - Louise can make them to fit in with your chosen colour scheme. The bags start from just £16.00 each.

Louise has a shop on Folksy which you can access here, or you can contact her at louise-at-libellule@hotmail.com or on 07780 663630.

A Gift For Your Groomsmen

Whilst browsing the Wedding Ideas shop this week I found these fab ties for your groomsmen:

Its a great way to show your thanks for their involvement in your wedding, as the tie says: 'Thanks for helping us 'tie the knot''. The ties come in a presentation pouch and are £19.99 each.

Happy Shopping!

.

Love Quotation

"If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you've made me smile, the entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand"

Author Unknown

Venue Focus - Glemham Hall

A few weeks ago I met up with Louise at Glemham Hall for a look round the venue:



Glemham Hall is an elegant, red brick Elizabethan mansion surrounded by 300 acres of parkland situated between Woodbridge and Saxmundham in Suffolk off the A12. The present owner Major Philip Hope-Cobbold inherited the house from his uncle in 1994, where he now lives with his wife Raewyn.

Glemham Hall was build circa 1560 by the de Glemham family, who took their name from nearby Great (Magna) and Little (Parva) Glemham. After a varied history, the Cobbold brewing family purchased the house in 1923; it became the home of Captain John Murray Cobbold - founder and first chairman of Ipswich Town Football Club as a professional club - and his wife Lady Blanche, a daughter of the 9th Duke of Devonshire.



There are two main areas for weddings;

The Great Hall (pictured left) for wedding ceremonies and smaller, more intimate wedding breakfasts

The marquee (pictured right) for larger wedding breakfasts.

There is also a church within the grounds of Glemham Hall that can be used for wedding ceremonies and is just a short walk from the main house.

The grand hall can seat up to 100 for a wedding ceremony and 60 for a wedding breakfast. The marquee seats up to 160 for a wedding breakfast and up to 200 for the evening reception.

The venue hire costs from £3,300.

Your caterers need to be booked separately and Glemham Hall will provide you with a list of preferred suppliers.

Contact Glemham Hall on 01728 746704 or email them at events@glemhamhall.co.uk for more information.
.

Apple Green Mood Board

With Spring finally with us I've put together a fresh apple green mood board:

Picture credits:
Shoes - Hasel Bride
Cake - Manolo Brides
Apple Martini's - Manolo Brides
Tie - Manolo Brides
Bride & Groom - The Knot
Flowers - Get Married
Table - Soon to be Wed
Invitation - Lela New York
Dress - Cafe Mom

_

Come and Meet Endless Love

Endless Love will be exhibiting at the Cake & Catwalk launch event on Friday 23 April, 7pm - 10pm at the Jerwood Dance House, Foundry Land, The Waterfront, Ipswich IP4 1DJ. Come along and find out more about our workshops and say hello. The evening will commence with a glass of something sparkly & nibbles, followed by a fashion show involving Suffolk boutiques. Finally, you will have an opportunity to partake in dance taster sessions and of course... shop! Entry is just £3.

For more information about the event you can email Lynn and Daisy at info@cakeandcatwalk.co.uk or call on 01473 295230.

_

Wedding Planning Workshops - Places are filling up fast!

Would you like to plan your own wedding but don't know where to start?

Come along to our interactive workshop that will give you the knowledge and tools needed to plan a stress free wedding on budget.

Sunday 9 May 2010

9.00am - 12.30pm

Ufford Park Hotel, Golf & Spa

You will go home knowing how to have a stress free wedding, how to save money, how to work with suppliers and much more. Below is an example of a mood board:

Everyone that attends the workshop will make a mood board for their wedding, a great keepsake and a great place to start thinking about your theme.

£100 per person or £150 for two
Places are limited Refreshments will be provided

"The fee for the workshop was small compared to the money we saved"
Kathryn Quinton, Wedding in July 2010

If you would like to know more about the workshops, please call me on 01473 681201 or 07906 705191. You can also contact me via my website www.endless-love.co.uk.

Love Quotation

"Happy marriages begin when we marry the ones we love, and they blossom when we love the ones we marry"
Author Tom Mullen

Book Review: Bride Ideas and Frock-Ups

I've just finished reading Bride Ideas and Frock-Ups by Sim Canetty-Clarke, Amanda Lockhart and Susannah Frieze. It's a fabulous compilation of wedding anecdotes and quotes; some of which will have you laughing out loud.

This book is the perfect gift for any of your friends or family, whether they've been married for one year or ten, or even if they haven't yet taken their walk down the aisle. It's a great read and will give you a much deserved break from wedding planning.

Here's one of the quotes that made me laugh: "An expert photographer can make a happy couple look like film stars... it's wonderful watching the bride's father, a few years later, idly flicking through the album of photos, the tears gently rolling down his cheeks... as he remembers what the whole day cost him."
Duffer's Guide to Getting Married, 1986

Enjoy!_

Venue Report - Butley Priory

Last month I was lucky enough to meet up with Rose from Butley Priory.


Once part of a 14th century Augustinian Monastery (dating back to 1171), it later became a much-loved retreat of Henry VIII's sister, Mary Tudor (briefly Queen of France) and her suitor, the Duke of Suffolk. The house is set within an area of outstanding natural beauty in its own 7 acres of meadow and heathland.




As regular readers of my blog will know, I love a long tree lined entrance and Butley Priory didn't disappoint!




There are three wedding options available at Butley Priory;

• Ceremony only
• 5 hour day wedding
• 48 hour wedding stay

The 48 Hour Wedding Stay includes accommodation for two nights in the house for up to 9 people. Up to 50 guests can be accommodated for a ceremony and wedding breakfast and an additional 30 can join the party in the evening. Prices start from £2750 for the 48 Hour Wedding Stay.

The resident caterers Spice Outside will put together a menu tailored to your requirements. Three courses start from £31.95.

If you have more guests you can hire the house and a marquee for up to 120 people with the 48 Hour Summer Wedding option from £4250.

Contact Butley Priory on 01394 450046 or email them at info@butleypriory.co.uk for more information.

Tiffany Style Mood Board

With Spring on the way (hopefully!) I've put together a mood board that I've wanted to do for a while now. It's in the famous Tiffany jewellers colour:

Picture credits:
Engagement Ring - Tiffany
Reception Layout - Pink Cake Box
Bridesmaids - The Knot
Invitation - Wedding Paper Divas
Cake - Elegant Cakery
Flowers in vase - Style me Pretty
Bridesmaids - LI Weddings
Bouquet - Flowers Ichie
Wedding Rings - Tiffany

Wedding Planning Workshops

I'm very excited to announce the launch of a new service from Endless Love - wedding planning workshops. See below for more information:

To find out more about the wedding planning workshops, please contact me via my website www.endless-love.co.uk.

Come and Meet Endless Love

Endless Love will be exhibiting at the Bella Donna Bridal Fair on Sunday 7 March 2010 at All Manor of Events, Manor Farm, Henley.

Please do come along and meet us. You will be able to find out more about the new services we are launching, including an exciting series of wedding planning workshops.

Love Quotation

'To love someone deeply gives you strength. Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage'

Lao Tzu

Wedding Tea Towel

As regular blog readers will know, I spend a lot of time searching the internet for new and interesting ideas for weddings. This week I've found a fabulous alternative invitation idea via Bridal Soup:

The above invitation is actually a tea towel! What a brilliant idea - your guests have something they can actually use. Prices start from just £2.75 each. Take a look at the Wedding Tea Towels website for more information.

The Wedding Voucher Book

I'm delighted to announce that the Wedding Voucher Book is now available for purchase. It is packed full of special offers from a wide range of wedding suppliers in East Anglia, including Endless Love.
The Wedding Voucher Book is available online, you can also meet the team at the EDP Wedding Fayre this weekend at the Royal Norfolk Showground. Check out the website for more information.

Tips for the Newly Engaged in Roundabout Magazine

I recently wrote an article for newly engaged couples with all the hints and tips you need for where to start planning your wedding. The article has been featured in the February issue of Roundabout Magazine. You can read the magazine online and as well as my article, there's some great wedding photography tips from Jeremy at Hennell James Photography.

Enjoy!

Valentine's Day Mood Board

With Valentine's Day fast approaching I thought it was a great opportunity to put together some ideas for a romantic wedding. Instead of the traditional red colour that is associated with Valentine's day, I've gone for a hot pink mood board:

Picture credits:

Cosmopolitan: www.infobarrel.com

Table decoration: www.weddingandeventlights.com.au

Shoe: www.stuartweitzman.com

Invitation: www.zazzle.com

Cake: www.cakecentral.com

Flowers: www.liweddings.com

Bridesmaids: www.theknot.com

Reception: www.wedding-hire.net

Garter: www.gartersbygingersnap.com