From the storyboard to the actual day...

Once a wedding is complete I love to look back to the original storyboard that I created which shows the bride & grooms initial ideas on colours, style and decor to see how the concept has developed into their wedding day.

Here is the storyboard I created for my clients Tara & Matt over a year ago - their brief was for their wedding to include pinks & greens, lots of roses, green bridesmaid dresses and a white marquee with a twinkle ceiling!

And here is the end result....

Tara & Matt's wedding reception was held in the large white marquee at Colwick Hall on the 24th of April 2010. We had scraped the pink colour and decided to use sage green throughout. Tara's bridesmaids wore full length sage green dresses and the tables were decorated with silver candelabras and lots of ivory avalanche roses. And instead of a twinkle ceiling they had a black twinkle wall for the evening reception!

Engagement Photo Shoot

My clients Nafeesa & Paul are over from Canada for their wedding at Shottle Hall on the 4th of July.

They enjoyed their engagement photo shoot with Becki from Red Square Photography last week at Elvaston Castle, Derby. A beautiful location to capture some amazing photos... Here is my favourite!

Nafeesa & Paul have chosen their favourite photo too which will be framed for their guests to sign around at their wedding. It's going to be a wonderful day... I can't wait!

Kerry & Lee's Wedding - 12th June 2010

Congratulations to Kerry & Lee who celebrated their wedding in a Teepee Tent at Ashover, Derbyshire on Saturday.

It was an amazing day! The sun was shining whilst guests enjoyed the BBQ and the Rodeo Bull! Then partying into the early hours breaking only for the hot pie & pea supper!

The Teepee Tents from Papakata are an magnificent alternative to a standard marquee. They set the scene for Kerry & Lee's day, complete with the open fire pit inside and the hay bails outside. The Teepees were decorated with flowers and hand made stationary created by the bride Kerry. The beautiful flowers were designed by Soraya Moore Floral Design and complemented the theme perfectly! One of my personal favourite cake makers, Candy from Love Candy Cakes created an amazing Teepee wedding cake and cookie favours! 

The evening reception had a great atmosphere as it fell on the first England game of the World Cup! I managed to arrange a TV so the game could be shown live, we created a chill out area in one area of the tents so the footy fans could enjoy the game! Overall a fantastic day!! It was a real pleasure working with Kerry & Lee to design, plan and coordinate their wedding, everything came together over the last 12 months to create their unique and personal day! I wish you all the best for the future, Lisa xx

A massive thank you to all the suppliers that helped make it a memorable day!

Photographers - Chris & Craig from White Studios- I can't wait to see the official photographs!

DJ - Merv from Magical Nights

Food - Delights of the Dales

Bar - Bars 2 You

Hope to work with you all again soon!

Radio Interview

I was invited to BBC Radio Leicester last week to take part in a discussion about the question - "is it OK to ask for money as a wedding gift"? Apparently there were an article in the Daily Mirror last week about a bridesmaid who had asked for cash as a gift from the bride and groom, this then sparked off the discussion!

What do you all think.....??

I arrived at the studio and after a quick brief, went live on air!

Click this link to list to the Interview

Scroll to 1:07 minutes in to hear the start of my interview

Maria & Richard's Wedding - 30th May 2010

Congratulations to Maria & Richard who had travelled from their home in America to celebrate their marriage in Derbyshire on Sunday. After a ceremony at the Old Brampton Church, Chesterfield (which included a fantastic performance from the choir Dale Diva) guests then enjoyed the picturesque journey through the peak district to the reception at the Maynard, Grindleford. The perfect setting for their 'English Countryside' themed day!

During the drinks reception guests enjoyed champagne and canapes in the garden whilst Simply Strings performed. Dinner was then served (including local favourite... Bakewell pudding!) followed by an evening of entertainment from Ceilidh band Govannen. The dance floor was never empty as the caller encouraged the guests to partake in English country dancing! It looked great fun!

Here are a few photos I took whilst setting up the ballroom...

As you can see the 'English County' theme really works in the panelled ballroom, with the distressed lime wash chairs and the mis-match china full of wild flowers.

The beautiful cake with sugar flowers that matched the brides bouquet was created by Love Candy Cakes.

Thank you to all the suppliers that made their day perfect!

Maria & Richard have been a delight to work for, I do hope their day was everything they wished for and more! Lisa x

Marlies & Daan's Wedding - 30th April 2010

Congratulations to the new Mr & Mrs Dousi!

Marlies & Daan celebrated their wedding day on Friday at Colwick Hall inside the stunning Grand Ballroom.

Arriving on a horse and carriage- just in time before it started to rain!!

After a beautiful ceremony their guests enjoyed drinks and wedding cake in the lounge whilst I helped the staff to re-set the Ballroom ready for the wedding breakfast.

It was an extra special day for Marlies & Daan, not only was it 10 years to the day they had met but it was also the queens birthday in the Netherlands, a national holiday and a day that you can't marry there. Originally from the Netherlands, Marlies & Daan shared there day with family and friends who had made an extra effort to travel to the UK to celebrate.

Therefore they now share their wedding anniversary with the queen!

As you can see from the photos, the inspiration for their day was taken from all things Dutch... the colour orange, tulips and the ornaments used to decorate the cake and as favours and place cards.

It was a fantastic day and they were a wonderful couple to work with!

The highlights of the day for me was definitely the group shot using the orange umbrellas (I can't wait to see that photo!) and the first dance, Marlies & Daan had been practicing and it was great to watch!

A huge thank you to all the suppliers...

Cake - Adele at April Flowers & Cakes

Flowers - Zoe at Zinc Floral Design

Disco - Sara at DiscoMania

And last but certainly not least the talented Stuart at Photo Nottingham who captured the day and even surprised guests during the evening reception with a slide show of photos from the day!

I can't wait to see the rest....

Creative Brides

I do have some very creative brides.... look what they have been up to!

Nafeesa, who gets married to Paul in July has designed and made her own wedding invitations... They are fantastic and complement their wedding style and theme perfectly! I can't wait to see the rest of the stationary...

 My bride & Groom, Emily & Christian got all creative before their wedding day last October and made their own seating plan and guests names which we tied to the napkins, Beautiful!

My latest bride to get creative is Kerry, she has been busy making her own invitations... She also has big plans for a very different seating plan... Watch this space!!

Tara & Matt's Official Wedding Photographs!

Here they are.... a sneak preview of the official photographs from Tara & Matt's wedding day.

The amazing Crash Taylor, Nottingham's leading photographer captured their day at Colwick Hall.

These photographs are beautiful!

More photos will be added to the gallery pages on my website soon...

Tara & Matt's Wedding - 24th April 2010

Congratulations to Tara and Matt who celebrated their wedding day in the sunshine on Saturday in the Lakeside Marquee at Colwick Hall.
It was great to see 18 months of planning come together for what was a perfect day! Along with their guests, Tara & Matt enjoyed the surprise Bag Piper who welcomed them into the marquee and partied into the early hours with the fabulous Bootleggers band!
Here are a few photos I took during the set up of the marquee on Saturday morning.

As you can see the elegant sage green and white colour palette worked perfectly with the beautiful candelabras and coordinating stationary.

Thank you to all the suppliers that worked so hard to make their day perfect!
Candelabras – Sensational Centrepieces

Chair covers – Lush Occasions

Stationary – Porosol Print

Cake – Layers Cake

A huge thank you to Nikki from 4 Get Me Not Flowers for working through the night to ensure the flowers were looking their best!!
And last but certainly not least, the day was captured by the amazing Crash Taylor. I can’t wait to see the official photographs!!

I would like to wish Tara and Matt a very happy future together and it's been a pleasure working with you both... Lisa x

Beautiful Wedding Venues

I am privileged to be working alongside some beautiful wedding venues this year, namely Colwick Hall, Prestwold Hall, Shottle Hall, The Maynard and Makeney Hall... to name just a few.

Each venue has its own unique beauty and style and are the perfect place for a wedding!
For more information on each venue click the name to follow the link.

Colwick Hall

Prestwold Hall

Shottle Hall

The Maynard

Makeney Hall

Engagement Photo Shoot

Maria & Richard's Engagement shoot - Simon Revill

Maria & Richard are the first of my clients this year to experience their engagement photo shoot.... As Maria & Richard live in America and are marrying in Derbyshire in May, this was the perfect opportunity to meet with their wedding photographer for the first time. I had presented numerous local photographer options to them last year and they decided to book Simon Revill as they loved the look of his work.
After a short meeting to discuss details for the day, Simon whisked them off to Sutton Scarsdale Hall for their photo shoot. The rain stopped just in time for Simon to get some fantasic shots!

I can't wait to see the results of the wedding day photographs....

Maria & Richard's wedding takes place on the 30th of May at the Maynard Grindleford.... I am positive that their overseas guests will fall in love with the venue and its location!

After two more supplier appointments I have scheduled for tomorrow, it's off home for Maria & Richard until they return the week of their wedding.... leaving everything in my capable hands!

Recommended Supplier

I am proud to be associated with and a recommended supplier of the beautiful Hodsock Priory.

The private country house is the perfect wedding venue.

For more details visit the website Hodsock Priory

Hotel Inspector

I was invited to the Rutland Arms Hotel in Bakewell yesterday to take part in the filming of the new series of Channel 5's the Hotel Inspector! Along with two other local wedding planners, I was met by the presenter, Alex Polizzi and asked to comment on the newly renovated ballroom and to give advice to the owner on how to encourage more weddings at the hotel.

The room did look great!

Ill let you know when I hear details about when the new series will be shown on TV!

I'm very excited to see how the venue develops over the next few months....

For more information on the Rutland Arms Hotel, Bakewell follow the link below

The Rutland Arms  

Face Masks....

I organised a different type of event on Saturday.... My boyfriends Surprise 30th Birthday Party! Not quite as glamorous as the events I usually arrange but still a fantastic night!

Jon was surprised to see his face everywhere at the party.... As I had masks made of him for his friends to wear!

The masks are a great idea for any party, event or even a wedding reception.... Imagine face masks of the bride and groom for their guests to wear! And not forgetting stag and hen parties.... Great Fun!!

Vintage China Hire

Had a trip to Harrogate yesterday with my bride kate and her mum to view some vintage china available to hire for their 'vintage inspired' wedding in September.

Thanks to Olivia and Madeline from the Vintage China Cupboard for displaying a range of their china, glasswear and props for us to view, much appreciated!

Visit their website for more inspiration and details       The Vintage China Cupboard

Incorporating vintage china at your wedding is very on trend with all the wedding magazines featuring vintage inspired photographs and 'how to' guides.

Anyone can create a vintage inspired look at their wedding on any budget - the simplest and cheapest way would be to hire a selection of vintage tiered cake stands to display and serve your cup cakes or deserts.

Or how about an afternoon tea service... Featuring vintage tea cups and saucers, tea pots, sugar bowls and milk jugs all set out in one area of your reception for guests to help themselves. Displaying all these items together looks great, as can be seen in the photo above....

Or you could really go to town with a complete vintage inspired wedding including everything from vintage dinner plates and cutlery to embroidered linens and bunting to decorate your venue...

Wedding Professionals Network

The wedding professionals network Derby is a network of local wedding professionals who are dedicated to providing the best in the industry.

I am proud to be founder member of the wedding professionals network Derby. To ensure the levels of service remain high suppliers are invited to join the network on the recommendation of other members within the network.

If you are a bride looking for wedding suppliers or you're a supplier looking to join visit the website www.weddingprofessionalsnetwork.co.uk

To meet some of the wedding professionals come along to Derbyshire's biggest wedding show at the Derby Assembly Rooms on Sunday the 21st of Feb from 11am-4pm.

For free tickets for the show contact myself or The Wedding Professionals Network.

Four Weddings

I have just been contacted by the producers of Living TV's show 'Four Weddings' If you would like to apply to take part, your wedding must be taking place between January 2010 and April 2010. For further information contact me or visit the website direct www.livingtv.co.uk/fourweddings

Wedding Fayres 2010

I will be exhibiting at the following wedding fayre in February. Come along to view the beautiful venue and to chat with myself and other wedding suppliers about your wedding plans...

Hopefully see you all there.

Kenwood Hall Wedding Fayre

Sunday the 21st of February 2010. 11am-4pm

Details of further wedding fayre dates will be added soon...

Merry Christmas...!

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

Lisa x

Precious Bridal Rooms Launch...

You are all invited to the launch of the newly located Precious Bridal Rooms in Chesterfield.

Precious Bridal Rooms has relocated to the other side of Chesterfield to a fantastic new development on Chatsworth Road.

The launch night will take place on Thursday the 3rd of December 2009 from 6pm-9pm.

Karen & Rachel will be showcasing their gorgeous collection of gowns and accessories and a select number of wedding suppliers will also be there showing their products and services...

Make up artist Emma Buck will be offering mini makeovers and I will be on hand to offer any wedding planning advice.

Look forward to seeing you all there..

For further information visit the website Precious Bridal Rooms

'Fancie' a Cup Cake...?

I love it when Amanda from Fancie is exhibiting alongside me at a wedding fayre as I get to eat another one (or three) of her delicious cup cakes!

Myself and Amanda were exhibiting at the Leopold Hotel wedding fayre on Sunday.... And much to my delight there were a few cup cake samples left at the end of the day and I couldn't see them go to waste!

You must call in and try them for yourself... Fancie is based on Sharrow Vale Road, Just off Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, serving teas, coffees and of course... Cup Cakes!

Cup Cakes are a great alternative to the traditional wedding cake. Visit the website for more details

Fancie

Fancie also have a stock of vintage cakes stands, plates and cups and saucers available to buy and hire...

I recently hired six cake stands from Fancie to create a 'Cake Table' at a wedding in October. The Bride and Groom wanted to offer their guests a selection of cakes, allowing the wedding cake to remain on display.