CREATIVE
Spring/Summer 2014 FREE
Inspirational wedding and lifestyle magazine
Real weddings
DIY projects
Latest trends
Honeymoon hideaways
At Frida & Sophia Floral Design, weddings are not just part of the business but a passion of ours and we work hard to ensure that your flowers will be unique, elegant and an inspiring and memorable feature on your special day.
Website: www.fridaandsophia.co.uk Email: flowers@fridaandsophia.co.uk Tel: 07725 048878
Images by www.rebeccadouglas.co.uk and www.kerryannduffy.com
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Contents
Check out our...
creativebrides.co.uk hello@creativebrides.co.uk
Creative Brides is a service for brides-to-be that’s bursting with wedding inspiration. We showcase some of the very best supplier talent in the industry. From small businesses to big brands, our aim is to connect readers with products and services that create a day to remember.
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Supplier agazine Directory M
Cover: Image by Livvy Hukins www.livvy-hukins.co.uk Model: Sophie Harrison Flowers: Dream of Flowers Tiara: Lorna Green Tiaras Dress: Pastel Shades Bridalwear Advertising or submissions: If you are interested in receiving additional information about advertising in our magazine or would like to submit something you think we would like, then please email us via advertising@creativebrides.co.uk or submissions@creativebrides.co.uk Disclaimer: The team at Creative Brides may not necessarily share the views of the contributors and cannot be held responsible for any offence or misuse of the content. The contents of our magazine and website remain the property of Creative Brides who has the right to retract the use of anything associated with Creative Brides. The magazine and website are fully covered under the copyright law and should not be reproduced without written consent from Creative Brides. All DIY projects, free downloads and tutorials are for guidance and personal use only. Should any injury or disaster be caused while taking part in these, Creative Brides will not be held responsible.
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Editor’s s Rambling Welcome to the first printed issue of Creative Brides magazine and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you.
A Creative Bride embraces creativity, thrives in searching for something unique and relishes the amazing wedding journey she goes on. Our role is to showcase the very best wedding talent in a fun, relaxed and colourful way. There really are no rules, as we are firm believers that a wedding should be as unique as the couple getting married. As 2014 begins, our suppliers are all a-buzz with the prospect of a full year ahead and we’ve been busy planning upcoming events, discovering new ideas and tasting yummy cake! (It’s a tough life). We’re also brimming with creative ideas, beauty buys and simple steps to create your own personalised wedding accessories, which we hope you will enjoy. Clair Hinge Editor Alison Wickens Graphic designer, head of soap opera updates and secret Zoopla addict Becky Godden Feature writer, bride-to-be and festival-goer Grace Armitage Honeymoon feature writer, globetrotter and travel PR girl from Hills Balfour 4
The House Meadow opens its barn doors to civil ceremonies
Photography by www.kerryannduffy.com
The House Meadow is located on a working farm, set deep in the heart of the Kent countryside and is full of authentic, rustic charm. With its natural lakes, hundred-year-old oak trees, rolling fields, gazebo on the lake, 16th century farm buildings and wild flower meadows, The House Meadow provides a most picturesque setting. The House Meadow offers two options for weddings; ‘Blank Canvas’ land hire for marquee/tipi weddings, or Horseshoes Barn. Stunning blessing and ceremony options are also available. www.thehousemeadow.co.uk
Wedding Cakes by Rosalind Miller £24.95 ISBN: 978-1-908714-08-4 This book is a sumptuous source of inspiration, as well as a clear how-to guide for high-end wedding cake making and decorating. Crisp, contemporary photography and daring, minimal styling bring a new approach to the subject matter. Easy-to-follow instructions are accompanied by clear step-by-step photography, enabling the reader to recreate the cakes exactly – or to pick and choose techniques to achieve their own individual creation. Beautifully produced with fabric binding, this book is a refreshing addition to the wedding market. Isabella Grace wins Wedding Ideas Best Bridal Boutique 2014 Isabella Grace is an elegant bridal boutique in the historic town of Tunbridge Wells and is one of Kent’s premier designer wedding dress shops. Three totally private fitting suites ensure that brides-to-be and guests can relax and enjoy the most luxurious wedding dress shopping experience. www.isabellagracebridal.com
froufrou bridal boutique The award-winning Froufrou Bridal Boutique inspires to bring out style and creativity in every bride. A Froufrou bride does not follow the crowd, she is style-conscious and prefers to create a truly individual bridal look. Nicole and Helena look forward to welcoming you to Froufrou. When you make an appointment, their attention is all yours. With their expert fashion styling advice, Nicole and Helena will help you achieve the look of your dreams. Never rushed, you can rely on them to get it right. Peruse and adorn yourself with delectable bridal accessories to your heart’s content! Enjoy a glass of champagne or a pot of delicious organic tea, inhale the scent of fresh coffee and delicious locally baked cupcakes... and prepare to be spoilt.
Froufrou Bridal Boutique 17 Crescent Road Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 2LU telephone: 01892 541381 email: info@froufroubride.co.uk website: www.froufroubride.co.uk 5
Co mp eti tio n
Win your engagement shoot in the city of love Paris! Brought to you by
creativebrides.co.uk
rebeccadouglas.co.uk
Enter the competition at creativebrides.co.uk where you will also find a full list of T&Cs Closing date for entries is 13th February 2014
Flowers for all occasions... Traditional
Contemporary
Vintage
Friendly, flexible chauffeur-driven car hire for weddings in Sussex and Kent www.paladinsclassiccars.co.uk
Photo: Rebecca Douglas Photography
Established fl orist coffee shop & courtyard garden. Established floristwith specialising in weddings and events. We provide in a bespoke service to reflect your chosen style. Specialising weddings & events. We provide a bespoke service to refl ect your chosen style. Call or email info@theflowerhouse.biz
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The Flower House Mayfield High Street, Mayfield, East Sussex TN20 6AB 01435 873984 www.theflowerhouse.biz
FlowerHouseMayfieldWT122.indd 1
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rock the frock bridal boutique Alternative bridal boutique for brides who want to rock that frock! It all started in August 2011 when Karen got married. As a bride who wanted to plan a wedding which wasn’t the usual, traditional affair, she searched high and low for vintage inspired and alternative wedding suppliers in Essex. This wasn’t an easy feat. Essex brides often get overlooked – for unique services you would normally have to travel into London – but why? Essex has a wealth of fantastic alternative wedding suppliers. Karen decided to start her own boutique to serve brides just like her. Not everyone is about long, strapless gowns so why should you have to travel miles to find something which truly reflects you? Well, now you don’t have to... you can ‘Rock that Frock’ at Karen’s Essex boutique!
Rock the Frock Bridal Boutique First Floor, Cromwell House Antiques, 5 Maltings Road, Battlesbridge, Essex SS11 7RF telephone: 01268 661982 email: rockthefrockbridal@gmail.com www.rockthefrockbridal.co.uk 7
For unique, elegant and delicious cakes designed and created with love and care by Liz ChatďŹ eld. With a professional, friendly and personal service throughout, Liz always ensures great attention to quality and detail. Covering the South East, contact Liz ChatďŹ eld on 07816 766146
liz@sylviaskitchen.co.uk
www.sylviaskitchen.co.uk
bellaboo and beau Creative Wedding Styling & Design
01797 225566 | 07912 760044 howdy@bellabooandbeau.co.uk
www.bellabooandbeau.co.uk 8
DIY Project.
Photography by www.betticonfetti.com
Love Letters... Wool Letters Using the coloured wool, slowly wind it around the letter. We did the ‘&’ in sections, as it’s an odd shape. This is a little project for when you’re sitting in front of the TV.
What you need All available from your local craft supplier: Cardboard 3D letters Colourful wool PVA glue Tissue paper or patterned paper Old paint brush and bowl (to apply and hold the glue)
Colourful Letters Set up your work space and make sure you have covered the surface of your table (it can get sticky). We put a little drop of water in our PVA glue to make a more liquid consistency. Rip up little sections of your chosen colour/design of tissue paper. Coat the letter with the PVA glue. It’s best to do this in sections as it might dry too quickly. Do this one side at a time so it doesn’t stick to the surface. Place the ripped sections of your paper over the glue and apply more glue over the top. Continue doing this and slightly overlap the paper so that it covers the letter. Once covered apply a final coat of PVA glue to the whole letter. Leave to dry overnight and apply more layers if needed. 9
e c n a t r o p m i e Th s r e n n a l p g n i d of wed Wedding planners are not just an extra cost, they are the difference between being stressed or enjoying every minute of your big day. Emma and Joanne from The Wedding Dolls explain how. “Hello, we are Emma and Joanne, the team behind The Wedding Dolls. Over the years we have managed festivals, concerts, conferences and corporate parties as well as styling photo and TV shoots, and have a wealth of experience in creating the perfect event. Having worked in events for years, it seemed madness that when it came to planning a wedding, getting professional help only seemed like a viable option if you were a Hollywood star or your debut album just went platinum. We didn’t want it to be that way, so we decided to start a planning service to help couples, whatever their budget, find their own wedding style and plan a wedding that’s fun, fabulous and full of personality! Our initial consultation called ‘Hello Dolly’, is always free. Many couples choose to discuss which service they would like over the telephone or by FaceTime/Skype which gives them the chance to ask as many initial questions as they like and for us to understand the service best suited to them. Following on from this consultation we send a personalised quote detailing the service elements and costings. At the next stage we ask couples to tell us a bit about themselves and we do a few fun exercises to really tease out what style of wedding they want and how much they have planned together so far. It is a brilliant way to really get the couples working together and make sure they each have elements of the day they really want. 10
Carol and Antonio, Goudhurst Village Hall
Jemima and Daniel, Hever Castle
Leanne and Vijay, Nettlestead Place
The consultation also gives couples a chance to get to know us a little better too! Our ‘Dolly on the Day’ service is a really popular option for couples who have lots of elements to bring together on the big day. Booking this service means the whole Bridal party is free to relax and enjoy the wedding whilst we worry about all the little details, deal with any problems, manage suppliers and look after the needs of the guests. We will also manage any last minute queries in the week before the wedding, being the main point of contact for all suppliers and the venue.
The Wedding Dolls – Joanne & Emma Telephone: 07872 160911 Website: www.theweddingdolls.co.uk Email: hello@theweddingdolls.co.uk
Twitter: @theweddingdolls Facebook: The-Wedding-Dolls Pinterest: theweddingdolls
We work closely with lots of venues where there is already a co-ordinator in place. Our service supports what they do as well as giving the Bride and Groom an extra pair of experienced hands to make sure everything is managed just as it should be. Festival and DIY weddings are so popular now, but with this comes the issues of having to try to do everything yourself. Many couples look to us to help pull together all their ideas and manage certain elements from dealing with supplier queries to styling and decor set-up in venues such as village halls, barns, marquees and occasionally a hired field! With no on-site manager it can be really difficult for couples and so we can plug this gap ensuring everything gets done when it needs to. Anyone who has ever organised a brilliant event will tell you that is doesn’t come together by itself and takes a lot of hard work. Before coming to us, many couples had found they’d spent hours trying to learn event planning as they went and made costly mistakes along the way – getting us involved saved them money and a lot of unnecessary nail-biting too! You can add to our ‘Dolly on the Day’ service with extra assistance such as our ‘Dolly Hours’. These are simple. You just book in blocks of three hours and use them whenever you need our help, however you need our help. We can also help with: venue sourcing, finding suppliers, managing quotes, wedding stationery, wedding websites, venue decor and styling and much more!”
Emma and Joanne were planners on this edition’s real wedding so take a look at their work first hand on page 24. www.theweddingdolls.co.uk
Catherine and Craig, Ratsbury Barn
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Lovely and Unique Wedding Fairs We have worked our little socks off since 2011, have earned wedding industry respect, taken over some venues from bigger businesses, been asked to launch new wedding venues, and help with charity work events. Quite an achievement in just 2 years. We decided in November to change our name to Lovely and Unique Wedding Fairs to inspire the modern bride looking for individuality for her wedding. We have filled a niche in the market between traditional events and full on vintage fairs, as we have a mixture of both suppliers and everything in between. We know how important a wedding day is and host amazing, well organised and promoted events. We have worked on passion and the love of the wedding industry ...and it shows.
www.lovelyanduniqueweddingfairs.co.uk bookings@lovelyanduniqueweddingfairs.co.uk
E:bookings@lovelyanduniqueweddingfairs.co.uk
Janet Mist – Event Director: 07917 611127 Emily Braithwaite – Business Director: 07876 286716 Find us on FB and Twitter: LUWeddingFairs
Creative and Unique Venue Styling & Prop Hire www.jasmineorchardstyling.com info@jasmineorchardstyling.com 07771 788 324 12
Midsummer Floral and Kraft Stationery Eagle Eyed Bride www.eagleeyedbride.com
Sakura Ivory by Harriet Wilde Liberty in Love £450.00 www.libertyinlove.co.uk
Marie Antoinette Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium www.elizabethscakeemporium.com
The Ivy Gown in Navy Fever Designs Code: IVYG12W021 £139.99 www.feverdesigns.co.uk
Shropshire Petals White Confetti Cone with Purple Rain £13.25 per litre www.shropshirepetals.com 13
LPM Bohemia has the most comprehensive range of beautiful marquees & interesting tents for vintage weddings, traditional weddings, garden parties, corporate events and festivals; with all aspects of party planning and event management, lighting, furniture, theming and event hire equipment. www.lpmbohemia.com
LPM Bohemia, The Tent Company • www.lpmbohemia.com
Stocks
Tulip Lilac
• Seasonal flowers • Spring into Summer
Grape Hyacin
ose
th
Christmas R
p
ercu Persian Butt
Daffodil
Poppy anemone 15
g n i d d e w e u q i n U ring... cate
From wood-fired pizzas to ice cream served from a quirky tricycle, we’ve put together a mix of unique wedding catering that is sure to get your guests talking.
The Tinderbox
Wood-fired goodness! The Tinderbox is a beautifully hand-crafted teardrop trailer. Bespoke built to carry a traditional wood oven, the Tinderbox is totally unique. Kate and Dickie will create a menu to suit you and your guests, perfectly packaged and delivered with pride. 07710 642848 hello@my-tinderbox.co.uk www.my-tinderbox.co.uk
Vera Vanilla Pod Tracey brings scrumptious treats to your wedding via Vera, her vintage 1970s ice cream van. Vera is available to hire and Tracey will accessorise her or customise the menu to make your wedding a unique and perfect day. 07429 108777 veravanillapod@hotmail.co.uk www.veravanillapod.co.uk
Treats on a Tricycle Treats on a Tricycle is based in Kent and operates a traditional style 1950s tricycle service. Traditional ice cream, sweets, Champagne, vintage afternoon teas‌ the list is endless. All trikes come with two staff and are traditionally dressed for the occasion. 07776 255108 / 07733 444887 enquiries@treatsonatricycle.co.uk www.treatsonatricycle.co.uk
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Vintage Dotty Have you ever thought about wowing your guests with a little vintage caravan? Then why not let Dotty cook up a storm at your special event by serving homemade delights like chocolate fudge brownies and red velvet cupcakes all washed down with some real tea and proper coffee! 07789 967577 rebecca@vintagedotty.co.uk www.vintagedotty.co.uk
Cin Cin!
Cin Cin is a charming, vintage 1972 Fiat van serving bubbles and nibbles, the Italian way. They offer an extensive and ever-changing menu, showcasing fresh olives, flavoursome cured meats and beautiful Italian cheeses that have been selected from trusted independent suppliers in the UK. Flutes of chilled Prosecco are served alongside the antipasti. 07411 698311 info@cincin.co.uk www.cincin.co.uk
Cripes it’s Crêpes! ‘Cripes it’s Crêpes’ is a delightful mobile catering option that serves up a selection of sweet and savory crêpes from a 1950s Citroen H Van called ‘Bertie’. Bertie also offers Pimms or Prosecco as arrival drinks for your guests. 07886 290 389 woof@hvancatering.co.uk www.hvancatering.co.uk
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www.rebeccadouglas.co.uk
Romantic - Natural - Quirky - Creative - Elegant
Questions & Answers Louise O’Mahony: Oh My Honey ‘50s-inspired online label and Louise O’Mahony couture wear How did you become a dress designer? I first did a diploma in Fashion in the North West, and then went on to study Costume Design and Textiles as part of the University of Huddersfield and the University of Hull. After I graduated I worked on productions in the West End, Ireland and Monte Carlo. After a few years I decided to start up my own business selling ‘50s-inspired dresses. I think the background in costume made me interested in vintage fashions, and ‘Oh My Honey’ combines both the costume and fashion elements I love. Describe your style? I love the vintage style, but I also enjoy modern fashions. Getting dressed up is one of my favourite things to do – bright colours, sequins and sparkles take over my wardrobe. You will find me prancing around in anything from sparkly lycra jumpsuits to tweed suits, but my heart lies with the classic ‘50s silhouette!
Visit Louise’s website: www.ohmyhoney.bigcartel.com
Who or what influences your style? ‘Oh My Honey’ is influenced a lot by vintage imagery that I find in old magazines, books and movies. I also take inspiration from contemporary designers to make dresses that appeal to vintage-loving brides that also suit the shape and style of the modern woman. What’s your studio like? My studio is my creative haven. It is a big room filled with fabrics, trimmings, vintage furniture, petticoats, fashion magazines and books. It is in my home just outside Brighton that I share with 14 other creative professionals so it is a really inspiring and stimulating place to live and work. What’s next on your to do list? I am heading to America for a few weeks where I will be doing some photoshoots for some of the new designs. I am looking forward to meeting some industry professionals across the pond and working with my designs in new environments. I get a lot of brides purchasing my dresses from the USA, so I think it will be good to experience a bit of the States for myself! 19
DIY Project.
Flower
table numbers...
What you need All available from your local craft supplier: Jam jars Masking tape Washi tape Black chalkboard spray paint White chalk
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Step one: Make sure your jam jars are clean and dry. Using the masking tape, cover all areas that you don’t want the black chalkboard spray paint to cover. Step two: Follow the instructions on the back of the spray can, making sure you have covered the work surface with newspaper or an old sheet. Spray the jars and leave to dry for 24 hours. Make sure you spray in a well-ventilated area and wear a face mask. Step three: Once the jam jar is dry, carefully remove the masking tape. Finish off the jam jar with strips of the washi tape. You can co-ordinate with the theme or colours for your wedding. To finish: With white chalk, write the table numbers, names or draw a funky design on the black area.
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styling your big day with bellaboo and beau Where first? >>> So, whether you’ve just got engaged or are finally making firm plans after a long engagement, your head might be in the clouds as to where to start! Well, don’t stress, just think about the key things – your budget and your priorities for the various elements of the day.
Where next? >>> You may be a dab hand at planning events and full of creativity, but if you’re not or you do not have the foggiest how to plan your big day then perhaps a wedding stylist is something that would work for you. Bellaboo and Beau work closely with their couples to take all their troubles away and give them the opportunties that they did not dream were possible.
How that works? >>> Wedding stylists vary with what they can offer but most are like wedding planners with the addition of being creative and imaginative. At Bellaboo, we use our vast experience in the professional design industry along with our huge network of suppliers and friends in the wedding industry, to visualise and create your day. We are forward-thinking and keep on, if not ahead of the trends, in order to create a wedding day that is quirky, unique and eye-catching. Contact us – we might be able to help clear your clouds. (Quote ‘Creative Brides’ for a 10% discount to our ‘BIG DAY’ package).
www.bellabooandbeau.co.uk
Treats on a Tricycle Ice cream served the traditional way with our quality wedding hire service Our ice cream bike creates a truly momentous photo opportunity for the happy couple and is a unique, special memory to cherish. For further information call 07776 255108 / 07733 444887 or email enquiries@treatsonatricycle.co.uk
www.treatsonatricycle.co.uk
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Bespoke planning, styling and hire services for weddings, parties and events Vintage Crockery and Accessory Hire, Styling, Planning, Day decoration and our new ‘Hipsta’ Photo Booth
07734 343722 • 01323 849742
victoria@victorialilyvintage.co.uk www.victorialilyvintage.co.uk Twitter: @victorialilyvin Facebook: victoria lily vintage
The Beauty Shelf... Dior Lip Expert Palette £46.80 www.dior.com
Dior Diorskin Nude Tan Bronzing Powder
Save the Bees makeup palette
£34.00 www.dior.com
Nails Inc Galaxy Effect Nail Polish
Sky – an eye-opening, delicate pale blue sheen that instantly brightens the eye area Honey – a glistening golden highlighter that adds a soft touch of radiance to both cheeks and eyes Beehive – a versatile and flattering grey beige that can be intensified when applied wet Nectar – a warm coral pink blush that delivers a cheerful pop of colour to all skin tones
Trafalgar Crescent Galaxy £12.00 www.nailsinc.com
Price: £74.00 www.chantecaille.com
www.johnlewis.co.uk
John Lewis Bath and Shower Gel Verbena 300ml £9.50 Hand Cream Verbena 75ml £7.50
Dr. Hauschka Bath Essences Each bath essence is designed to complement a different mood: refreshing and soothing almond; arresting and invigorating lemon lemongrass; luxurious and harmonising moor lavender; and sensual and smooth rose. Alternatively, customise your bath with your own combination to perfectly suit your mood. With scents created purely from natural essential oils, the fragrances are designed to perfectly harmonise with the existing Dr. Hauschka Body Washes and Body Moisturisers, providing a complete body care routine. 100ml SRP £16.00 www.drhauschka.co.uk 23
A Kentish wedding with handmade personal touches...
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Real Weddings.
Since moving to the countryside, Cath and Craig wanted their wedding to have lots of personal touches that reflected their personalities. They discovered Ratsbury Barn, a magnificent 17th century timber and thatched barn near Tenterden. With beautiful surrounding gardens and quirky nooks, it was the ideal blank canvas for them to place their personal stamp. Cath’s mum spent hours making bunting and matching hay bale covers which dressed the barn. An old fashioned bicycle received a high polish for the big day and the basket served as a great place to hold the orders of service. Keeping it simple, flowers were handpicked and lovingly arranged in jam jars, while a hand-scribed seating plan and menu board made from an unused pallet gave guests all the information they needed for the day. An old London bus was given the country treatment too and provided the perfect backdrop for some fun photography. >> Photography by www.rebeccadouglas.co.uk
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Craig also got involved in the finishing touches by making vinyl style record placemats for every guest. He sprayed them in the pastel colours of the day and made bespoke labels, which matched the invitations – a real labour of love. When asked about her wedding day, Cath says “My most memorable moment was arriving at the barn to see Craig waiting for me inside, it was heart-stopping and emotional! Our wedding breakfast was delicious and it was great to see our guests having a lovely time and enjoying the little details we had arranged which included the beautiful crockery and yummy cupcakes”. >>
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Real Weddings.
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Real Weddings.
Cath & Craig’s suppliers... Venue: Ratsbury Barn, Tenterden www.ratsbury.com Wedding Planners: The Wedding Dolls www.theweddingdolls.co.uk Vintage Crockery: Alice and the Teacup www.aliceandtheteacup.co.uk Cake and Cupcakes: Sprinkles & Swirls www.sprinklesandswirls.co.uk Flowers: Blooming Green Florists www.bloominggreenflowers.co.uk 28
Photography by www.rebeccadouglas.co.uk Hair: Simply Beautiful Wedding Hair www.simplybeautifulweddinghair.co.uk Make-up: The Beauty Aisle www.thebeautyaisle.co.uk Dress: Isabella Grace Bridal www.isabellagracebridal.com Video: Cine Reportage www.cinereportage.com Catering: Australian Style Catering Company www.australianstylecatering.co.uk Red Bus: Old London Bus www.oldlondonbus.co.uk
Image by www.naomikenton.co.uk
Cakes.
French Made www.frenchmade.co.uk
Sylvias Kitchen www.sylviaskitchen.co.uk
Flossie Pops Cakery www.flossiepopscakery.co.uk
Image by www.rebeccadouglas.co.uk
Chatter Cakes www.chattercakes.co.uk
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Designer Dresses.
Lila
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Annabel
Abigail
Presenting: Johanna Hehir. British-born Johanna Hehir (pronounced Hair) has established herself over the past 15 years as one of London’s leading bridal designers. Her signature style is clean, unfussy, classic cuts with romantic detailing – utilising the best quality European silks and laces. Recognised as one of the UK’s most innovative designers, her collections reflect the ever-changing nature of the bridal market and the varied tastes and venues of today’s brides. In addition to having a wide range of styles, Johanna also has that unusual ability to update classic styles in such a way as to give them a touch of modernity that instantly appeals to contemporary brides. www.johanna-hehir.com
Esme
Pearl
Phoebe
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Florist in the Forest
Friendly, free-spirited & outdoorsy wedding photography based in Kent
www.floristintheforest.co.uk
info@livvy-hukins.co.uk www.livvy-hukins.co.uk 07810 096705
Country Style | Natural Designs
07984 540893 | floristintheforest@gmail.com
www.veravanillapod.co.uk 07429 108777
Liz ad 04_Layout 1 14/01/2014 20:04 Page 1
Wedding hair specialist attending the venue of your choice to style brides, mother of the brides and bridesmaids.
trueblueceremonies.co.uk
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Call Liz on: 01892 611931 or 07958 244016
www.simplybeautifulweddinghair.co.uk
g n i t o Sho love for
by Gemma Taylor at Betti Confetti Photography www.betticonfetti.com
An engagement shoot is a portrait session with your photographer a few weeks or months before your wedding. Sounds cheesy? Awkward? Uncomfortable? It most definitely should not be awkward or uncomfortable, and only cheesy if you want it be! A talented photographer will ensure it reflects you as a couple, and then add a big dose of creativity. So, depending on what you fancy, it could be a walk in the park, through to an all-out styled shoot. Quicker than you can say ‘untag’! I often think a key reason people don’t like having their photo taken is because friends take one quick snap out on the town with the flash bouncing off your forehead, and it’s uploaded to Facebook quicker than you can say ‘untag’. When you have your pictures taken by a pro you’ll have pictures you like, love, treasure even – which can only make you relax on your wedding day, knowing that you’re going to look good in the photos. Top tips Wear something that complements each others outfits but don’t match. It also helps to pick a location that means something to you. Got your prints? Now get creative! I love seeing photos that couples have blown up from an engagement shoot gracing the walls. Other uses have included ‘save the dates’, place settings and table plans. I‘m sure you creative brides can come up with other uses too! 33
the
Perfect Wedding venue
Flexible wedding packages from ÂŁ40 per person
Wedding Fayre Sunday 2nd March 11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
Wedding Open Evening Thursday 12th June 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
For more information and to receive our Wedding Pack please contact our Conference & Banqueting Office. Mount Ephraim Royal Tunbridge Wells Kent TN4 8XJ tel: 01892 520331 fax: 01892 510575 events@spahotel.co.uk www.spahotel.co.uk
Handmade.
Hand painted cake toppers Peg dolls £65.00 Chatter Cakes www.chattercakes.co.uk
Jam Jar Flowers Photography by Penny Young Photography www.pennyyoungphotography.com
Swallow Cake or Roses Cake Murray-me Hand Painted Cakes www.murrayme.co.uk
Natural Slate Heart Chalkboard Dotcomgiftshop £6.95 www.dotcomgiftshop.com
Pretty Clip-On Paper Owls Wedding In A Teacup £4.00 each www.weddinginateacup.co.uk
Shabby Black Wedding Words Paper Tape Wedding In A Teacup £3.00 per roll www.weddinginateacup.co.uk
John Lewis Vintage Rose Ice Cream Cups for crafting Pack of 8, £4.00 www.johnlewis.com
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Creative advice...
We have asked some of our fabulous suppliers to help you with your wedding questions. Here’s what they said. What colour flowers are proving popular for 2014? I believe vibrant colours are going to be popular, with coral in particular coming through strongly with peonies, ranunculus, dahlia, teamed with natural flowers such as craspedia, (yellow balls), thlaspi (green bell). The relaxed, ‘just picked’ look will continue as couples go for the more personal approach and I think it will be more about having a good time with close friends and family with the flowers reflecting this. Kim Watson from The Flower House Mayfield www.theflowerhouse.biz
How could we incorporate real flowers into our wedding cake? It’s beautiful to have real, fresh flowers on your wedding cake and may also be a way to keep costs down too. Fresh flowers can be used either between the tiers of your cake or just on the top if you have a stacked cake. Your cake maker will be able to advise you on the ‘spacers’ that are needed between the tiers and will also be happy to liaise with your florist about the flowers being used – how many will be needed, ensuring they co-ordinate with the rest of your wedding theme. Care should be taken when using fresh flowers on ‘naked’ style sponge cakes – again, your cake maker and florist will know which flowers are toxic and therefore unsuitable – flowers should never be pushed directly into a cake. Liz Chatfield from Sylvia’s Kitchen www.sylviaskitchen.co.uk
What is a Celebrant and why do you need one? An Independent Celebrant can conduct a wedding ceremony absolutely anywhere, whether it is licenced or not. Put simply, the legal Marriage Registration takes place separately from the wedding day. This leaves couples free to hold their celebrations wherever and however they like, with no restrictions imposed, and is very much more relaxed as a result. Popular with brides and grooms are weddings held completely outdoors, in private gardens, fields or woodland, often with a festival-type vibe but the sky really is the limit. The best thing about hiring a Celebrant is the personal touch they can add to your ceremony. Registrars must stick to their ‘one size fits all’ script – a Celebrant writes yours from scratch. Many couples now choose to step away from the treadmill and go bespoke! It’s unique, it’s meaningful and it’s all about you! Katie Keen from True Blue Ceremonies www.trueblueceremonies.co.uk
Why have transport for your wedding? Besides being one of the few chances most people get to travel in a luxury classic car, the scenic journey from the church to the reception will be one of the few moments the bride and groom have to themselves. A classic car is also a massive photo opportunity, and of course with the beautiful countryside, serves up photo opportunities en-route too. Keith Sheen from Paladins Classic Car Hire www.paladinsclassiccars.co.uk If there is something you would like to ask our experts, email us at hello@creativebrides.co.uk, tweet @creativebrides or visit our Facebook page. 36
QUIRKY BRIDE
Wedding stationery by Miranda Etheridge at Style and Joy – Collection: YAY! www.styleandjoy.co.uk
Ruffle bunting cake by The Little Touches www.thelittletouches.com
20 bright chevron goody bags £5.00 for 20pk www.weddinginateacup.co.uk
Personalised monogrammed milk bottles £7.50 www.poshtottydesigns.com
‘Thank You’ heart sterling silver necklace £24.00 www.weddinginateacup.co.uk
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DIY Project.
Photography by www.rebeccadouglas.co.uk
Sam & Alex O'Leary Wedding date:
DIY
31st December 2013
Directions.
Our wedding was on New Year’s Eve and we wanted to celebrate with lots of sparkles and that ‘wow’ finale. Sam and Alex worked with Rebecca, their photographer, to create this sparkly ending to their wedding. Why not do the same, and distribute our sparkler pouches to your guests.
Head over to...
creativebrides.co.uk/blog to download the sparkler pouch template
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Sparkler pouc hes
The perfect se nd-off at midn ight.
Print out the design on thi ck white card Cut out the sp arkler pouche s Using a scalpe l or scissors,
carefully cut across the sh ort white dash ed lines (mind Feed one or your fingers! two sparkler ) s through the slits you’ve jus t made Fill in the tim e you would like a sparkly send-off and place in a saf e, dry place until your big day L
Happy craftin g!
spaLOVE rkle FO ET O
UR
Health and Safety: REVE • Never allow R children un der five-yea • Always su rs-old to hold Our tim pervise child sparklers. e to sp ren over tha ar • Sparklers s kl t age when t 00:0 e... hould always hey are using be held at arm sparklers • Sparklers 0pm ’s length remain extrem ely hot long af be disposed ter of in a buck et of water or they have stopped glow • Please re ing – they s sand ad the instru hould always ctions on you r sparkler pa ckets for any extra advice Terms and Conditions All our DIY projects are for pe reproduction or profit made rsonal use only. We’re sorry please credit from these are Creative Bri strictly prohib , but they can’t be used des and link please email ited. If you wis for commerc to hello@creati vebrides.co.uk our website www.creative h to use these on your ow ial use and any n blog or we brides.co.uk. bsite For any ques tions or enqu , iries
Blog.Love. arried getting m So you’re ried ar M Getting So You’re cated to di de og is a bl ses u daily do bringing yo gs from around in th ty et of pr ng world. the weddi so feature Phoebe al Emily and rs, fashion, rio home inte s. and recipe ed.com tingmarri et eg ur soyo
Festival Brides Laura and Kelly love festivals, music, performance, travel and the l experiences that create inspirationa memories to last a lifetime. ings Most importantly they LOVE wedd and through Festival Brides they hope to showcase all the great things a wedding involves. festivalbrides.co.uk
Want that wedding Sonia at ‘Want that wedding’ believes that you should be the bride YOU want to be. Whether it be vintage, quirky, fun, stylish or simply beautiful, whatever you love, you’ll find lots of eclectic wedding inspiration on her blog. wantthatwedding.co.uk
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Save the date. KENT 7th, 8th, 9th February: Creative Brides Vintage Wedding Village Fair, Bluewater www.creativebrides.co.uk 7th, 8th, 9th February: The Wedding Fair at Glow, Bluewater www.theweddingfairs.com 23rd February: Commissioners House, Chatham, www.wedding-experience.co.uk 1st March: Donnington Manor Hotel, Sevenoaks, www.bw-donningtonmanor.co.uk 2nd March: Ashford International Hotel, Ashford, www.wedding-experience.co.uk 2nd March: The Sevenoaks Wedding Fair, West Heath, www.inspiredweddingsandevents.co.uk 2nd March: The Spa Hotel Wedding Fayre, Tunbridge Wells, www.spahotel.co.uk 23rd March: Hadlow Manor Hotel, Hadlow, www.wedding-experience.co.uk 6th April: The Inn on the Lake, Gravesend, www.wedding-experience.co.uk 24th April: The Chislehurst Wedding Fair, Chislehurst, www.inspiredweddingsandevents.co.uk 4th May: The Kent Showground, Detling, www.wedding-experience.co.uk 1st June: Ashford International Hotel, Ashford, www.wedding-experience.co.uk 22nd June: Mercure Hotel, Maidstone, www.wedding-experience.co.uk 29th June: Salomons Wedding Fair, Tunbridge Wells, www.wedding-experience.co.uk SUSSEX 16th February: The Vintage Valentine Wedding Fair, Worthing, wwwbellesevents.co.uk 15th March: Quaint, Queer or Weird Wedding Spectacular, Brighton, www.quaintqueerweird.com 26th April: All Saints Chapel, Eastbourne, www.amourevents.co.uk 11th May: The Quirky Boutique Wedding Fair, Brighton, www.bellesevents.co.uk 1st June: Barcombe Village Hall, Barcombe, www.amourevents.co.uk LONDON 16th February: The Charlton House, Greenwich, www.inspiredweddingsandevents.co.uk 23rd February: The National Vintage Wedding Fair, Chiswick, www.vintageweddingfair.co.uk 23rd March: The Wedding Fair, Blackheath Golf Club, www.inspiredweddingsandevents.co.uk 26th April: Vintage Wedding Fair, Old Spitalfields Market, www.bellesevents.co.uk ESSEX 16th February: Essex Vintage Wedding Fair, Colchester, www.essexvintageweddingfair.co.uk 2nd March: Essex Vintage Wedding Fair, Stanford-Le-Hope, www.essexvintageweddingfair.co.uk 23rd March: Essex Vintage Wedding Fair, Braintree, www.essexvintageweddingfair.co.uk HAMPSHIRE 16th February: Hampshire Bridal Boot Sale, Fareham, www.bridalbootsale.co.uk 23rd February: Victoria House, Southampton, www.lovelyanduniqueweddingfairs.co.uk 9th March: Newton House Hotel, Hayling Island, www.lovelyanduniqueweddingfairs.co.uk 27th April: Explosion Museum Wedding Fair, Gosport, www.lovelyanduniqueweddingfairs.co.uk 18th May: The Hampshire Wedding Fiesta, Havant, www.lovelyanduniqueweddingfairs.co.uk 8th June: The Nostalgic Wedding Fair, Winchester Guildhall, www.vintageparade.co.uk
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Glow, Bluewater 7-9 February • 17-19 October EventCity, Manchester 7-9 March • 26-28 September
The ultimate day out for wedding inspiration Make your big day unique with creative ideas galore from over 150 of the region’s best suppliers
Beautiful catwalk shows bring on-trend and classic styles to life Find your perfect dress: all the top designers and brands for every budget Make plans in style at the Champagne Bar or over lunch with the girls FREENG I PARK TO EASY TO GET
Save 1/3 on tickets, quote WF23 at theweddingfairs.com Tickets start from £10
VIP TICKE TS for an e specia xtra l day
Supported by
For Bluewater standard advance ticket £10, standard advance VIP ticket £20, offer closes on 6 February. For Manchester standard advance ticket £15, standard advance VIP ticket £22.50, closes on 6 March. Booking fees apply. Images courtesy of Thomson Weddings & Fiona Kelly Photography.
n o o m y e Honire... Att
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From zig zag prints to comfortable casual denim, here are our top picks to make sure your honeymoon gets off to a fashionable start.
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1. Panama Hat £18.00 Next 2,3,4. Sunglasses £various River Island 5. Zig Zag Bandeau & Brief £6.00 & £5.00 Matalan 6. Monsoon Kimi Statement Kimono £129.00 Monsoon 7. Monsoon Astrid Fringe Shirt £45.00 Monsoon 42
8. Ikat Rucksack £35.00 Accessorize 9. Chevron Stripe Stole £20.00 Accessorize 10. Jax Sandal £55.00 Dune London 11. Jamba Sandal £49.00 Dune London 12. Relaxed Denim Trouser £42.00 Oliver Bonas 13. Jayla Sandal £65.00 Dune London
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ada Nev ls, Wel
n o o m y e Honeaways hid
Nestled among Nevada’s Spruce Mountain range lies Mustang Monument – a new venture which allows visitors to get closer to Nevada’s phenomenal landscape and wildlife while relaxing in the lap of luxury. Launching June 2014, Mustang Monument will offer an unrivalled safari experience where wild west meets luxury. Spanning over 900 square miles and surrounded by majestic mountain ranges, Mustang Monument will provide visitors with the unique experience of learning about wild mustangs (most of which were rescued and now roam freely in hundreds of acres at this eco-resort). Accommodation is in luxury tipis (and soon to launch high-end safari tents) comprising of 490 square feet of living space with leather sofas, hardwood floors, lavish furnishings and wood burning stoves – plus custom-made beds and bathrooms complete with two-person shower, bath and rainwater shower. Guests will enjoy a 24/7 butler service, gourmet meals, plus premium brand alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and an in-room spa service. Activities are tailored to individual requirements and include wild mustang viewings, off-road vehicle tours, nature walks, guided horseback riding, cycle trails and photography tours. Seven-night holidays at the Mustang Monument – which combines a heady mix of glamour and the great outdoors – cost from £4995 per person. This twin share price includes return Heathrow, Manchester or Glasgow flights, airport transfers, all-inclusive accommodation in a deluxe tipi and all activities. For more information visit www.travelnevada.co.uk Bon Voyage: 0800 316 0194 www.bon-voyage.co.uk 43
Romantic Queensland...
Offering stunning white sand beaches, rich rainforests, tropical islands and mountainous terrain, Queensland’s varied and beautiful landscape offers the perfect backdrop for honeymooners. Couples seeking peace and luxury will find the beaches of the Whitsunday Islands perfect for soaking up the sunshine, while the Great Barrier Reef is a truly magical place to experience marine life and colourful corals in their prime. The world heritage listed Daintree rainforest is the place to discover Australia’s most incredible plant and animal life, before heading to a luxury eco retreat for a night amid the treetops… O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat Set back from the Gold Coast lies the stunning Gold Coast Hinterland from O’Reilly’s and Mountain Villas. These luxury villas provide the perfect nature escape, boasting contemporary accommodation designed to connect with the natural surroundings. Visitors can enjoy a glass of wine on the spacious balcony or from the comfort of their own private jacuzzi. Guests can immerse themselves in their natural surroundings with a tree top walk through the lush rainforest canopy, or get up close to some of Queensland’s most impressive birds of prey. www.oreillys.com.au Silky Oaks Lodge Silky Oaks Lodge is a luxury boutique hotel high in the tree tops of the world’s oldest rainforest, the Daintree Rainforest in tropical north Queensland. Boasting 26 contemporary designed timber tree houses with large verandahs and luxurious outdoor jacuzzis, Silky Oaks Lodge offers the ultimate rainforest hideaway, amid the scenery that inspired James Cameron’s film Avatar. Guests can enjoy tree top dining at the Treehouse Restaurant, one of north Queensland’s top dining experiences, overlooking the tranquil Mossman River. Additionally, the Silky Oaks Lodge Spa offers treatments unique to tropical north Queensland by combining the richness of local sea plants, algae, marine minerals and plant essences. www.silkyoakslodge.com.au Daintree Eco Lodge Located in the oldest rainforest in the world, the pristine Daintree Rainforest just north of Cairns, the Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa has been snapped up by the owners of the legendary Orpheus Island. The Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa is currently undergoing renovations, and upon re-opening will have a renewed emphasis on wellness, food, cultural experiences and ecotourism, through upgrades throughout the resort. The new partnership between these two luxury hideaways will mean guests can now experience both Queensland’s reef and rainforest. For the first time the two properties will be connected by helicopter so guests can experience the ultimate luxury in two of Queensland’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites. Daintree’s Rainforest Bayan rooms are nestled among the trees in the world’s oldest rainforest, immersing guests in the natural beauty of their surroundings – a true escape from reality. Each room also boasts a private jacuzzi, overlooking the surrounding lush tropical rainforest. www.daintree-ecolodge.com.au
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Bloomfield Lodge The enchanting and beautifully remote Bloomfield Lodge is one of Queensland’s hidden gems. This luxury boutique hideaway is set on the shores of the Coral Sea and in the heart of the beautiful World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest. This rainforest eco lodge is one of the country’s most exclusive getaways. Bloomfield’s suites, high up in the tree tops, allow guests to feel completely secluded. Visitors can indulge in a soothing massage, relax in their private jacuzzi hidden in the trees, or take a stroll along a deserted beach at this most incredible location. Bloomfield Lodge can be reached by a scenic flight from Cairns along the Coral Coast, or a short outback drive and a gentle cruise down river and across Weary Bay. For fishing enthusiasts, Bloomfield Lodge offers great fishing just off the Bloomfield jetty, or reef fishing onboard the Bloomfield Explorer. Alternatively, slip away to the lovely secluded Kangaji Beach, an idyllic spot to stroll, beachcomb and enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch prepared by Bloomfield’s chef. What more could you want? www.bloomfieldlodge.co.uk One&Only Hayman Island Set on the beautiful Great Barrier Reef, the Hayman Island is currently undergoing an exciting multi-million dollar refurbishment and is set to re-open in April 2014. Bringing Hayman Island to the next level of luxury, it will present a number of unique guest experiences, enhanced accommodations, new culinary options and the signature One&Only service throughout the resort. Specifically, the Pool Wing will be redeveloped and feature brand new one and two bedroom suites. The Lagoon Wing will feature new Hayman rooms and suites with deluxe contemporary interiors and amenities. Hayman Island’s iconic pool will offer a renewed life and energy, complete with lavish cabanas and day beds. www.hayman.com.au Bedarra Island Resort The idyllic Bedarra resort, located 7 kilometres off the coast of Mission Beach in Tropical North Queensland, has re-opened following an impressive refurbishment and sustainability overhaul. The resort, perfect for couples, is an all-inclusive, private, tropical haven – the ultimate in barefoot luxury. Comprising of just seven private villas hidden among its 45 hectares of tropical rainforest, the resort is now open for business once again. Bedarra has made a number of changes to the operation of the resort to significantly reduce its impact on the environment – leading it to be dubbed Australia’s most sustainable resort. Some of their initiatives include generating electricity by way of an off-grid solar power system and sourcing water from fresh rainwater and springwater. For those looking to make an extravagant entrance, helicopter transfers from the mainland offer a stunning scenic flight overlooking Bedarra and its surrounding islands. www.bedarra.com.au 45
State of Craft paperback book £14.99 ISBN:978-0-956 2053-4-6
Wooden suitcase storage boxes Visit website for price www.oliverbonas.com
HOME SWEET HOME! gift ideas
Chevron bird cushion £28.00 www.oliverbonas.com
Polka elephant cushion £32.00 www.oliverbonas.com
Duvet £138.00 2x Standard pillow case £48.00 Square pillow case £28.00 www.anthropologie.eu Landmark picture frames £29.95 www.dotcomgiftshop.com 46
UK Wedding Inspiration for Creative Brides
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Autumn/Winter issue out September 2014!
CreativeBrides.co.uk inspiring your happy ever after...