Fresh Ideas Florists

Sam at Fresh Ideas Florists on Chatsworth Road in Chesterfield kindly provided me with these beautiful flowers for display on my table when exhibiting at wedding fayres.

Fresh Ideas Florists also provided the flowers for Lisa & Paul's and Michelle & Gareth's weddings... pictures of which can be seen on the gallery pages on my website

Fresh Ideas Florists
17 Chatsworth Road, Brampton, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S402AH
01246 275757

Trent FM Interview

Did anyone hear me on the radio on Tuesday 17th Feb...?

Trent FM - Nottingham contacted me a few weeks ago and asked if I would feature in an interview discussing the latest wedding related statisics that show a decline in the number of couples getting married. I happily commented on these statistics...

After chatting to many couples over the last few months regarding how or if the credit crunch is affecting their wedding plans, i'm finding that it's not putting people off getting married all together, instead couples are either setting lower budgets, comprimising on one or two elements of their wedding, putting the date back in order to save more money or reducing the number of guests... as you will all know, feeding your guests is the biggest expense!

Challenge me to reduce your wedding bill...!

Cake Tasting (it's a tough job, but someone has got to do it!)

I had a lovely morning last weekend with one of my brides and her mum tasting lots of yummy cakes! Candice from Candy Cakes kindly invited us to her studio in Chesterfield to sample all the different flavors of cake and to view her wedding collection. Candice will work with you to design a cake that fits your wedding requirements and budget... and she has kindly offered my bride 10% off her chosen cake!!

For more details about candy cakes visit the website Candy Cakes

Wedding Fayres

I am now also exhibiting at the following wedding fayres over the next few months...

Sunday 8th February -11-4pm - Goosedale- Nottinghamshire www.stanleymodels.co.uk

Catwalk shows @ 12.30pm & 2.30pm - Admission £2.50

Thursday 19th February - 5-9pm - Risley Hall Hotel- Derbyshire www.oxfordhotelsandinns.com

Monday 23rd February - 6-9pm - Midland Hotel- Derby www.midland-derby.co.uk

Sunday 1st March - 11-4pm - Leopold Hotel- Sheffield www.leopoldhotel.co.uk

Come along and say hi... I'll see you there...

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few FAQ's - I hope they answer your questions.

• "We're on a tight budget, can we still afford your services?"

Yes, my fees will be taken from your total wedding budget as apposed to being an additional cost. Whatever your budget, I will work with you, advising you how to spend and make the most of your money. I work with couples with all different budgets and produce a package that suits their individual needs. I charge for my time, therefore I can do as much or as little for you as required.

• "How many couples will you be working with at any one time?"

As i am a full time wedding planner i can comfortably work with anything from 5-30 couples at any one time dependant on the size of their weddings. This allows me to deliver a personal service to each, being available at the other end of the phone at any time or aiming to reply to calls and e-mails within a day. I will only ever attend one wedding a day, again to dedicate my time fully to the couple's wedding.

• "Can you get us discounts from suppliers?"

Yes, I have managed to negotiate discounts and deals with many suppliers, from free bridesmaid dresses and tiaras to money off flowers and photography - which in many cases will usually cover the cost of my fees.

• "We've got everything sorted but could you just help out on the day?"

Yes, i can come in at any stage, even as close to one month before your wedding. Hand everything over to me and you can relax and enjoy the run up to your special day whilst i finalise all the arrangements, coordinate the suppliers and oversee the day. On-the-day coordination - from £350.

If you have any more questions... I'd love to hear form you. Lisa x

Civil Partnerships

The pink guide website is a reliable source of advice and information for anyone planning a civil partnership and includes a directory of wedding suppliers which are divided into catagories and counties so you are able to source your local suppliers. Lisa Hilliard Wedding planning is now featured in the Derbyshire Wedding Planners catagory. To visit the website and for more information click the link above.

The next gay wedding show is taking place on Sunday the 18th October 2009 at the Ramada Jarvis Picadilly, Manchester - for more details visit the website by clicking the above link.

To discuss your civil partnership contact Lisa on 01246 229556 today...

Bespoke Wedding Shoes

Can't find the perfect shoes for your big day...?

Bespoke Big Day are an online company that produce some fab wedding shoes... and best of all you can create your perfect pair... Select your favorite style, the perfect height from flat to 5" with a choice of 30 different colours... and if that's not enough, you can have all that for less than £100!

Visit the website Bespoke or call Rachel at Bespoke Big Day to discuss your perfect wedding shoes...

Merry Christmas...!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...!

Best Wishes

Lisa x

Your Dream Wedding Needs a Dream Team..!

I have been asked by my friends at Choola bridalwear to become part of their wedding dream team! Together with a handpicked selection of some of the best wedding suppliers in South Yorkshire, Choola are hosting a dream team event on Thursday the 29th of January from 7-9pm. For your chance to save up to £2000 off your wedding come along and meet the experts over a glass of bubbly and a piece of cake. Places are strictly limited, so for a complimentary ticket please contact myself of Choola direct on 01142671303.

Ill see you there...!

Choola Bridalwear - Ecclesall Road, Sheffield

Wedding Fayres 2009

Here is a list of wedding fayres that are taking place over the next few months in my local area... I'm not exhibiting at these due to other commitments but thought you all might want to go along for some ideas and inspiration. Visit my website for details of the wedding fayres that I am attending...

Sunday 25th January - Stuart Hotel, Derby - 10-4pm

Sunday 1st February - Gateway Hotel, Nottingham - 11-4pm

Sunday 1st February - Winding Wheel, Chesterfield - 11-4pm

Sunday 1st February - Sheffield park Hotel, Sheffield - 11-4pm

Sunday 15th February - Sitwell Arms, Renishaw - 11-4pm

Sunday 22nd February - Whirlow Grange, Sheffield - 11-4pm

Wedding Dress Shopping!

I had a great day yesterday wedding dress shopping with one of my brides, Rachael and her mum, sister and auntie. Rachael had visited lots of bridal boutiques before we met and had tried on all different styles of gowns, I suggested a few bridal boutiques that she hadn't been to and then yesterday in the last shop of the day... she found 'The One'...! So of course we had to celebrate and crack open a few bottles of champagne to toast a very successful shopping trip! I'm not going to say any more... You will all now have to wait to see the pictures after the wedding!

Rachael and Jason's wedding will take place in August 2010

John Preston Flowers Launch Party!

I was kindly invited to the opening launch night of the new John Preston Flowers shop in Friar gate, Derby last week. John Preston, pictured below left, quickly became established as a master florist in Ashbourne, Derbyshire and after over 3 years decided to relocate to a new store. It was a great evening that showcased the fantastic new shop, the seasonal show room and the wedding consultation room, pictured below, where clients can discuss all their floristry needs..! The interior of the new shop is very slick, decorated in white and black which acts as a perfect backdrop for the beautiful flowers. You must call in and have a look for yourselves... 37 Friar Gate, Derby, Derbyshire, DE11DA... Or for more information visit the website http://www.johnprestonflowers.co.uk

The photographs were taken by Becki at Red Square Photography http://www.redsquaregallery.co.uk

The Bride Guide

The Bride Guide-Sheffield is a handbag sized essential guide to planning your big day, packed with local wedding services and tips from the experts. The guide is available free from the Whirlow Grange Wedding Show on Sunday the 22nd Feburary 2009. The guide is also available free from many Sheffield based bridal boutiques, florists and salons, for a full list of stockists visit http://www.the-bride-guide.co.uk. The next addition of the guide is due out in Feburary 2009 and will feature a pull out section of special offers and discounts vouchers.

I am offering a 5% discount on any wedding planning service booked before September 2009 with presentation of the discount voucher from the 2009 addition of The Bride Guide...!

Whirlow Grange Wedding Show

I was asked by my friends at Choola to model their bridal gowns at the Whirlow Grange wedding fayre on the Sunday the 9th November. As you can see the bridal gowns and bridesmaids dresses are gorgeous and they have lots more available in store so make sure you call in to have a look! The fashion show was held in Whirlow Granges very own chapel which is also licensed for church of England weddings. The beautiful flowers were provided by Katie Peckett and the photographs were taken by AB Photography. The wedding fayre was a great event for 'brides to be' to meet suppliers and to get lots of inspiration for their big day.

For more information visit the websites...

Choola - http://www.choola.co.uk

Katie Peckett - http://www.katiepeckett.com

AB Photography - http://ab-photography.co.uk

Whirlow Grange - http://www.whirlowgrange.co.uk

Winter Weddings

With the British weather being so unpredictable during the summer months, many couples are now choosing to host their wedding in winter rather than hoping for the perfect summer’s day during the peak wedding season.
Remember the venues that look beautiful in full bloom during the summer look just as picturesque on a frosty winter morning.
When planning your winter wedding be creative with your choice of colour scheme... rather than opting for the traditional winter colours such as reds, greens and gold’s how about the ‘tiffany blue’ colour teamed with white and silver for a fresh, icy colour scheme.
Picture the scene... white decorative twigs covered in twinkle lights, gleaming ice sculptures, silver table decorations and the bride looking gorgeous in a pure white gown accessorised with a cosy shrug.
Why not utilise the festive decorations that most venues will have displayed during the winter months (with their permission of course) by adding extra twinkle lights, flowers or candles to tie in your colour scheme whilst saving yourself the cost of extra decorations.

Personalised Car!

My car has just been branded with my 'wedding planning logo'! Keep a look out for me driving around...

Wedding Stationery

This is the table plan and gift post box that I created for Lisa & Paul's wedding on the 23rd August 2008. They had already sourced their invites, favors and place cards and decided they would like a table plan and a personalised gift post box to match. The colour scheme for the wedding was black, white and silver and Lisa wanted to incorporate butterflies within the theme.


For more images from Lisa & Pauls wedding visit their gallery page on my website.

Visit me at the Wedding Fayres

I will be exhibiting at the following Wedding Fayres
Come along and say hi...

Sunday 14th September 2008 - 10-4pm
Alfreton Leisure Centre, Alfreton, Derbyshire

Sunday 21st September 2008 - 11-4pm
Pride Park Stadium, Football Ground, Derby

Sunday 28th September 2008 - 10-4pm
Sitwell Arms, Renishaw, Derbyshire

Sunday 5th October 2008 - 11-4pm
Sheffield Park Hotel, Sheffield

Sunday 22nd February 2009 - 10-4pm
Red Lion, Stonedge, Chesterfield, Derbyshire

'As seen in' White Weddings Magazine

White Weddings Magazine

Lisa Hilliard Wedding Planning is featured in the latest edition of the Magazine. As the only Wedding Planner in the magazine, I feel truly honoured!

White Weddings Magazine is an essential read for any bride to be - with over 124 pages, filled with quality wedding suppliers, real wedding stories from around the world, reader offers, competitions and more!

To read the full article click the image above.

White Weddings Magazine - http://www.whitemedialtd.co.uk/