SugarBlossom Weddings, England

Keeping Your Guests Informed On the Day

2011-04-15T03:07:00.000+01:00

Whether you are having a civil or a religious ceremony, by providing your guests with an 'Order of Service', an 'Order of the Day' or a 'Wedding Programme', you can ensure everyone will know what to expect to help the day to flow smoothly.

From a simple service summary to a full programme, there are a range of design options- scrolls, a single sheet of card, a booklet, information on a fan… the list is endless and all are great ways to fit in with your wedding style and personalise your ceremony.

They can help your guests follow the ceremony, understand cultural traditions and also become familiar with your bridal party; they serve as a wonderful keepsake too.

When greeting guests your ushers can hand these out, or try placing them on the back of each chair. This is a pretty way to display them whilst adding a touch of color to your ceremony decor.

The content can be as brief or extensive as you’d like, here is a general guideline of what can be included:

The cover Both of your names Ceremony venue Date Wedding Party Both sets of parents Best Man Chief Bridesmaid Ushers Bridesmaids Readers Musician The Ceremony Songs – list the titles and singer / composer listed Readings (mention titles) Order for vows, exchange of the rings and pronouncement Optional Inserts Explanation of traditions (religious, cultural, family, etc.) Thank you message Schedule of the day Table seating plan Wedding breakfast menu

Picture credits: 1- Jenifer Carrol, 2- Cherry Gorgeous, 3- reader contribution

DIY: Paper Flower Escort Cards / Name Settings

2011-03-21T08:00:00.000Z

Nella from www.lostmykitty.etsy.com has generously shared more of her creative DIY wisdom with us in the form of these delicate paper flowers to use as escort cards or name settings.

They are such a pretty decoration, I am planning on giving these a go over the weekend- would love to see yours if you try them to. Have fun! xxx

And over to Nella....

What you will need:

Craft paper 4” square
Fabric leaves 2”
Skeleton Leaves 2”
Adhesive Glue
Scissors
Needle and Thread

Instructions:

Step 1: Draw a spiral on a 4 inch square. I’ve used 90 weight paper purchased at Jarrold’s though regular coloured craft paper would work equally well.

Step 2: Cut out the spiral along the lines you’ve drawn. If you’re really clever, cut out the spiral freehand. It will keep you from hunting down an eraser as I forced my husband to do for me.

Step 3: Roll the spiral from the outside.

Step 4: Use a spot of adhesive to glue the body of the flower onto the round bit left.

Now you’re finished with the flower!

Step 5: Use a pencil to faintly write your guests’ names in a pretty cursive. I’ve used pen for emphasis and don’t forget the table number for escort cards.

Step 6: Follow the lines using small stitches. You could also use paper if you are not so keen on sewing.

Step 7: Attach the skeleton leaf and your personalised leaf to the flower.

Martha Stewart may be able to make 100 of these in 15 minutes but for us mere mortals make a party of it with a bottle of champagne and a few friends – nothing like the promise of food and a mimosa to corale some slave labour - or you can always contact me through Etsy (Nella, www.lostmykitty.etsy.com).

Real Wedding: Nathaniel and Tamara at Lillibrooke Manor, Maidenhead, Berkshire

2010-11-22T16:48:00.006Z

Late this summer we co-ordinated Tamara and Nathaniel's wedding at St Lukes Church and Lillibrooke Manor in Maidenhead, Berkshire. These fantastic shots were captured by the incredibly artistic Jamie Thompson from Studio Rouge.

Tamara and Nathaniel had planned the perfect wedding, but wanted the peace of mind that the logistics were managed to ensure it became a reality on the day.
We met a year before their wedding and were in regular contact to provide supplier suggestions. Closer to their wedding we extensively discussed the day's arrangements. Following this meeting we produced a wedding day plan and a timings schedule, then spoke to and confirmed the details with all the suppliers.

Tamara paid great attention to detail with lots of special Zimbabwean touches that made their day meaningful, from the invitation design to the family wedding car, sourcing the national flower to relabelling the bottles of wine and the cake topper to the favours; there was a whole host of personal touches that made for an extra special day. During the week of the wedding we reviewed the final plans and timings together as well as collecting and storing all of their decoration items.

On the morning we decorated the church and Lillibrooke Manor, see the video of the set up here. Luckily we were equipped with our emergency kit with our ivory umbrella to hand when the rain came. We greeted all of the suppliers and supported their set up, organised the guests going to the buffet table, helped book taxis, stored the veil, moved garden games and liaised with the best man for announcements amongst many other things.

Being the point of contact on the wedding day ensured everything went smoothly and relieved the couple of any stress.

Wishing you both a wonderful married life together filled with much love and happiness x

Credits
Photography: Studio Rouge
Videographer: Capture the Day
String trio: Giardino Strings
Caterers: Complete Catering
DJ: Sound Bookings
Cake: Especially Delicious

Top 20 time saving tips - Part 2

2010-11-15T15:26:00.000Z

Further to our recent top ten tips on saving time when planning your wedding, here are another ten suggestions:

11. High street bridesmaids

There are lots of dresses in high street shops such as Debenhams, Coast and House of Fraser that are just as gorgeous as any bridal shop ones, but without the time delay of ordering the dresses in.

12. Use a Wedding Planner

Ask an expert to create shortlists for suppliers you are having specific trouble sourcing. They will know of reputable local companies and may even be able to negotiate you a better rate.

13. Manage your RSVPs

Send a stamped self addressed envelope if you are mailing RSVP cards with your invites to speed up the replies. Or quicker still use an online RSVP option on a wedding website.

14. Back to basics

Skip some of the unnecessary tasks, such as having wedding favours, that can take a lot of hours to find and you may not feel are critical.

15. Thank you notes

Write your thank you notes as you receive gifts to save having a long list to complete when you return from your honeymoon.

16. Venue styling

Save time on the day by using wedding decorators to set-up and remove the decorations for you.

17. Pre ceremony photo shoot

Meet with your husband-to-be before the wedding ceremony for a photo shoot to save time after the ceremony, leaving you to relax and enjoy the arrival drinks with your guests.

18. Cheat with the cake cutting

Have an extra cake in the kitchen that your caterers can pre-cut so after your cake cutting ceremony is complete they can serve the cake much faster.

19. Skip a receiving line

Depending on how many guest you have these can take a huge amount of time, a less formal way would be to visit each table between courses during the meal.

20. Keep storage simple

Have a room aside to keep everything related to your wedding in- so everyone know where to put things after they have been used and most importantly where to go to pack everything up swiftly at the end of the day.

Photo credit: A SugarBlossom wedding at Brockhurst School, Newbury by Francis Beaumont

Top 20 time-saving options- Part 1

2010-10-27T15:09:00.010+01:00

Time-saving options to help you plan your wedding if time is tight.

Are you struggling to find the time to fit planning your wedding into a busy lifestyle?

A focused checklist Work out what needs to be done in what order to prioritise your time, always start by finding your venue and booking the registrar/church to get a date confirmed.
Know your budget Before you start looking for the perfect wedding dress, flowers etc.. make sure you know what your budget is to save time further down the line having to rethink what you can afford.
Decide on your guest list Scribble down a rough idea of numbers to invite for the day and even to help direct you when making your venue choice, this may rule some options out straight away.
Wedding fairs Local wedding fairs can be a great inspiration at the start of your planning. Wear 'comfy' shoes and bring friendly support to help collect all the information to browse through at home.
Surf the web Visit supplier websites to find pricing, see portfolios of work, and read testimonials to build a shortlist before spending time calling or meeting with lots of different suppliers.
Wedding chat rooms Sites such as www.youandyourwedding.co.uk are a great place to meet with other likeminded brides to ask questions for quick answers or pick up new ideas.
One email fits all Once you have found a selection of suppliers online you can draft an email with all your questions to copy and email to multiple companies. This approach will save time calling each person and help get consistent replies to compare.
Let your friends and family help Make a list of things that need to be done (but not necessarily by you) and delegate! Your bridal party can help make phone calls, prepare invitations, do odd jobs when you need them.
Meetings at your house Most suppliers will be more than happy to come to you to meet to save you time driving between locations.
Referrals Sharing tips on excellent service providers with recently married friends will give you piece of mind that everything will run smoothly on your special day.

Look out for the next 10 time saving tips!

Photo credit: A SugarBlossom wedding at Englemere, Ascot by Neale James at www.breathepictures.com

Sneak Preview: Tamara & Nathaniel's Wedding at Lillibrooke Manor

2010-10-11T11:26:00.010+01:00

Look out for more pictures and details from Tamara and Nathaniel's fantastic wedding coming soon!

Photo credit: www.studiorouge.co.uk

Behind the Scenes: Lillibrooke Manor Wedding

Details we love: bottle escort cards

2010-09-23T16:45:00.005+01:00

A thirst quenching alternative to a table plan.

Photo credit: Jonas Peterson via 100 Layer Cake

Real Wedding: Nik and Lisa at The Dairy, Waddesdon Manor

2010-09-10T19:13:00.006+01:00

We have been looking forward to sharing the gorgeous pictures from Lisa and Nik’s wedding, they celebrated their marriage in May at The Dairy, Waddesdon Manor near Aylesbury. This stylish wedding was shot by Stuart Bebb photography. Stuart and his assistant captured photos from slightly different views which gave Lisa and Nik a wide variety of photos. Down to Earth Flowers did an unbelievable job with all of the floral arrangements.

Whilst the guests were making their way to The Dairy, Lisa and Nik had some romantic secluded shots taken in the vast grounds, the venue is pretty amazing with woodland areas and waterfalls.

Don’t the tables look pretty with these little vase name holders from Cox & Cox, they were accompanied with small bottles of Prada perfume for the girls favours and miniature bottles of Port for the guys. The band, Limited Edition, kept everyone dancing all night playing songs from Lady Gaga to Dianna Ross. We were so impressed we have already booked them for another clients wedding next summer.

Congratulations Lisa and Nik, thanks so much for letting us post your pretty day! www.sugarblossom.co.uk

Q&A: Our reception venue is quite dark, but we are not allowed to use candles. Can you suggest some alternatives for lighting up the room?

2010-09-01T11:18:00.010+01:00

Last weekend we used battery operate candles, available from Cox and Cox , they were effective and lasted all afternoon and evening.

You could also use fairy lights to create a romantic atmosphere. They are easy to get hold of and not expensive, try wrapping them around bay trees, archways, banisters, in clear vases or look for blossom style ones like these from Debenhams or Laura Ashley.

Photo Credit: One Love Photo via Rock n’ Roll Bride

Sneak Preview: Lisa & Nik's Wedding at The Dairy, Waddesdon Manor

2010-08-26T19:26:00.003+01:00

Look out for more pictures and details from Nik and Lisa's wonderful wedding coming soon!

Photo credit: www.stuartbebb.com

Behind the Scenes: Lillibrooke Manor Wedding, Maidenhead

2010-08-22T11:25:00.025+01:00

Yesterday we had the pleasure of co-ordinating Tamara and Nathaniel's wedding at St Lukes Church and Lillibrooke Manor in Maidenhead.

It was fantastic to work with them to help plan their day, they are a lovely couple and had so many wonderfully unique ideas to incorporate into their wedding.

This video shows a small part of Janet and I setting up in the morning. The day began with an hour of steaming open freeze dried peony heads- fiddly, but worth it when you can not rely on fresh ones being available, they looked beautiful on the arrival drink table.

We moved on to the church to sweep away debris blown in and move papers from the doorway, before organising the confetti, spare readings, reserved seats and order of services.

The next stop was displaying road signs to direct guests to the remote manor house, after our sat nav directed us the wrong way up a one way system on the first visit we decided this was a must!

We then ran through some checks with the catering company, resulting in a quick dash to buy the missing raspberries needed for the arrival drinks and locating the lost desserts still en-route from London.

Janet and I then unloaded the decorations we had been storing and set to work on decorating the barn with many items that reflected their personalities and Zimbabwean roots. This included scattering the national flower, Gloriosa, on the top table, name settings in elephant favours, an elephant cake topper, safari animal table names, table plan, guest book, card box, wine with personalised labels, gifts under the top table, child seating, toys and much more.

The DJ arrived early to build his equipment, after showing him the space we tested the back up music we had for the wedding breakfast and the first/second dance songs.

The courtyard was the next location to organise the garden games, throws, flowers, arrival drinks and the string trio, but moments before the Routemaster bus full of guests pulled up the rain started to fall so a quick turn around and the set up was duplicated inside the adjoining small barn.

This was all simply the preparation, look out for our next post on the wedding celebrations. We can not wait to share some of the photos with you and less wobbly professional video footage, including all of the great supplier details who all made the day so special.

Book your free wedding consultation - Wokingham & Maidenhead fairs

2010-08-20T16:27:00.011+01:00

These short 20 minute slots are an easy way to quickly gain expert help and guidance from experienced wedding planners from SugarBlossom. Meet with us to discuss a wedding issue or to ask any questions you may have about wedding planning, such as choosing your venue, your theme and styling, money saving tips, choosing and managing suppliers or wedding etiquette. We are taking a limited number of bookings for complimentary wedding consultations at:

Fredricks Hotel, Maidenhead Sunday 5th September http://www.fredricks-hotel.co.uk/
Wokingham Town Hall Sunday 3rd October http://www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk/

Both fairs are free to attend and open from 11am to 3.30pm. After each consultation you will be given a SugarBlossom Wedding Planner to check you are on track with your all important tasks. Simply click here to let us know which fair you will be attending and your preferred time to meet. We look forward to hearing from you, Hannah and Janet

http://www.sugarblossom.co.uk/ info@sugarblossom.co.uk 0783 225 4187, 0118 988 7988

Q&A: Do you know if there is a gift list company for outdoor present, we’d love to create our dream garden?

2010-08-02T12:26:00.005+01:00

Absolutely, although many of the department stores with wedding lists have garden options they may not be as varied as you may like.

The Bottom Drawer is a more flexible online gift list option, you can choose to have your garden landscaped or pick products from turf and flowers to lights and decking.

Enjoy relaxing in your new garden!

Photo credit: www.gardenvisit.com

Balloon Save the Date

2010-07-28T16:49:00.010+01:00

Found on FPO via Green Wedding Shoes

This is an incredibly fun and creative idea for a Save the Date.
"After ten years together, Jen + Kevin got engaged in Paris – a location they subtly acknowledged in a nod to Albert Lamorisse’s short film The Red Balloon when designing their save the date announcement. Wanting to treat their wedding as a big party more so than a traditional event, each guest received a deflated, red balloon tied to a letterpress printed card reading: “Hello! Please inflate the balloon.” Once inflated, the piece reveals all relevant information and sets the desired tone with humor and playfulness."

Photo credit: http://www.underconsideration.com/

Q&A: I was hoping to wear a vintage dress, but can’t find anything suitable- do you have any ideas?

2010-07-15T10:44:00.005+01:00

We have lots of beautiful bridal boutiques here in Berkshire, but not those that specialise in vintage dresses so a trip to London would be the best approach.

Make sure you book appointments in advance, a good place to start and reasonably priced is Annies Vintage Clothing in Islington with original Twenties mid-calf lace wedding dresses with silk under slips that sell for around £200 (www.anniesvintageclothing.co.uk).

Other city options to visit are Candy Anthony (www.candyanthony.com), Half Penny London (www.halfpennylondon.com) and The Vintage Wedding Dress Company (www.thevintageweddingdresscompany.com).

Have a fabulous day out and be sure to update us on your search for the perfect dress.

Photo credit: www.halfpennylondon.com

Equestrian name setting

2010-07-12T16:36:00.005+01:00

If you are an animal lover add a touch of personality to your tables with a tiny chalk horse. These horses can have names scribbled on in chalk to make a unique name setting. They are available here on Etsy.

Easy tool to create your seating plan

2010-07-08T10:41:00.003+01:00

Simply register with www.marthastewartweddings.com to access the online seating chart tool, you add your room dimensions then start populating with tables and names to drag and move around to get the ideal arrangement. Easy peasy!

Q&A: How can I make the RSVP process easier?

2010-06-29T15:32:00.013+01:00

An online RSVP option is becoming more common as wedding websites grow in popularity, this is a quick way for guests to reply and easy for you to manage whilst being environmentally friendly, although it may require a few calls to Grandparents and those less comfortable with the internet.

Expecting guests to send a postal reply can be a slow process unless you include your own RSVP cards, removing any delay in guests having to find a suitable acceptance card. Including an addressed and stamped envelope makes this even simpler and speeds up the time for you to get your numbers confirmed.

Tip: Number the guest list and the backs of the RSVP cards, in case someone forgets to write in his or her name.

Image credit: www.studiobelle.co.uk

Q&A: When should we send our thank you cards?

2010-04-16T07:00:00.001+01:00

Try to send hand written thank you notes no later than a month after your wedding referring to the gift they have given you. To make it easier to manage start writing them as soon as people start buying you gifts rather than having masses to do after your honeymoon.

DIY: Seed Matchbook Favours

2010-04-07T15:52:00.006+01:00

These floral favours make a pretty decoration for your tables and symbolise the beginning of a relationship that grows over time, a unique memento for your guests. The free template to edit and directions can be downloaded here.

Found on Martha Stewart via iDIY

Photo credit: www.mathastewartweddings.com

Hannah & Pauls Easter Wedding: Wokefield Park, Reading

2010-04-06T16:53:00.006+01:00

This Easter weekend we had the pleasure of working with a lovely couple, Hannah and Paul, for their wedding at Wokefield Park in Mortimer, Reading.

Once they are back from their honeymoon in Thailand we shall look forward to sharing some professional pictures and details of their day.

They incorporated so many personal touches into their wedding and were incredibley well organised, even taking the time to write us a thank you note in the midst of all the wedding mania….

“Thank you so much for all of your support and assistance in the run up to our wedding. You have been fantastic ever since we met you... I know our guests will love everything you have done...”

Berkshire Wedding Fairs

2010-03-29T10:53:00.007+01:00

Yesterday we exhibited at Dream Wedding Fair's event at the Reading Town Hall, it was a fantastic day with lots of recently engaged couples having the opportunity to meet a huge selection of local suppliers. The wedding fair was one of the largest in Berkshire with a massive amount of wedding inspiration spread across two of the large ballrooms.

If you did not manage to make yesterday's fair there is one left this season before the summer wedding season break, then lots more from September. Furthermore all of the fairs are free entry, often include fashion shows and from 11am-4pm, here is a list of what is coming up, we hope to see you at some:

Ramada Newbury Elcot Park - Sunday 11th April 2010
Fredrick's Hotel -Sunday 5th September 2010
Donnington Valley Hotel -Sunday 12th September 2010
Hampshire Court Hotel, Basingstoke -Sunday 19th September 2010
Reading Town Hall - Sunday 26th September 2010
Wokingham Town Hall - Sunday 3rd October 2010
Grovefield House Hotel -Sunday 3rd October 2010
Ramada Newbury Elcot Park -10th October
Norton Park Hotel - Sunday 10th October 2010
Badgemore Park Gold Club, Henley - Sunday 24th October 2010
The Royal Adelaide Hotel, Windsor - Sunday 24th October 2010
Trunkwell Mansion House, Berkshire- Sunday 7th November 2010

For more information on any of these visit: http://www.dreamweddingfairs.co.uk/wedding-shows-berkshire.html

Venue Spotlight: Sir Christopher Wren's House, Windsor

2010-03-24T10:04:00.018Z

Last Saturday and Sunday we planned and co-ordinated a full weekend of celebrations in Windsor for a 60th birthday- from a traditional afternoon tea with a view of the castle to a show at the Royal Theatre, followed by a Thai feast and drinks in a traditional English bar.

The grand finale of the festivities was dining for twenty five at Sir Christopher Wren’s House in their pavilion room. This beautiful space included a bar and relaxed seating area, with the circular dining room having the most amazing views right on the River Thames with glass dome ceiling too- wonderfully light and airy.

The staff were polite and professional, the food was beautifully presented and being located next to Eton Bridge only metres from the castle makes the venue equally well suited to a wedding.

Emma Vinters, Sales & Marketing Manager ,comments "Our location by the River Thames, makes the hotel an ideal setting for a wedding. Brides often choose to arrive in style aboard our very own private boat ‘Larus‘ which adds a classic touch to their special day."

This room is licensed for civil ceremonies and can seat 70 ceremony guests or 40 dinner guests.

Click here for details of SugarBlossoms wedding planning and co-ordination services and click here to vist the hotels website

Photo credits: SugarBlossom's own

Venue Decoration Service Launched!

2010-03-17T06:00:00.001Z

We have recently launched SugarBlossom's Venue Decoration service, previously it was only available as part of the Day of Co-ordination package. This has been in response to the number of brides who have been surprised to discover that many of the setting up tasks they expected their venue organiser to do are not offered, or worse still they had planned to go and decorate the day before- only to find out they could not access the venue due to another event or wedding booking.

Will the staff at your venue set up and decorate your room(s) according to your specifications on the day of the wedding?

Few venues take on this responsibility to create the style and atmosphere you have planned for, so you may need to make arrangements with family or friends. Alternatively we offer venue decoration in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Hampshire. Read more... or email us with any questions, info@sugarblossom.co.uk

Photo credit: SugarBlossom's own image

Kissing Booth

2010-03-16T06:50:00.000Z

This print would be perfect to encourage some impromptu photo silliness if you are planning a photo booth at your reception. In the past we have set up informal photo areas to capture some ridiculous shots with:

Wigs
Empty photo frames to pose behind
Silly sunglasses
Fake moustaches on sticks
Piles of marker pens and doilies to make signs
Boxing gloves
'I'm married!' flags
Piles of hats
Sunglasses
Piles of disposable cameras
oh anything wacky we could get our hands on!

To buy the kissing booth sign for notonthehighsteet.com. click here

Photo credits: www.notonthehighstreet.com and www.breathepictures.com

Q&A: How should we say it is a child free wedding without offending?

2010-03-15T09:52:00.009Z

Once you have made this decision you carefully need to communicate it without upsetting anyone. If parents only are named on the invite it should be assumed their children are not invited, but you may need to be clearer with a specific mention, for example: “We hope you understand that we have chosen to make our special day adults only" or “Due to numbers, and the maximum capacity of the room, we will not be able to invite children to the wedding or reception.”

Image credit: www.officesafety.co.uk

Vintage teacup: Charming favour and name setting

2010-02-26T16:39:00.008Z

A beautiful favour, table decoration and a name setting all in one from sugarlily. The tag can be personalised with your own message and colours to fit your theme, they look prettier still with a cupcake or flower in each cup. Visit www.sugalily.co.uk for a browse of the gorgeous and arty site.

I'm engaged! Now what do I do?

2010-02-19T17:10:00.015Z

Firstly congratulations on your engagement! Enjoy this exciting and happy time with your fiancé. The important initial wedding considerations are when you would like to get married, what your budget is and the venue.

When
Is there a particular season you would prefer, is it important to have a summer or winter wedding? Are you inclined to opt for a traditional Saturday over weekdays? These considerations can affect the cost, out of peak times can mean venue hire and many suppliers are less expensive.

Budget
Do you know how much you want to spend on your wedding? Are you planning a long engagement to give you time to save, have your family been able to offer to contribute towards the day? Be honest with yourselves to eliminate any anxiety further in the planning and use this budget as a guideline when choosing your suppliers.

Venue
Will you have your ceremony and reception in one venue, or is there a church’s alter you have dreamt of walking up? Is it an urban city wedding, a sandy sunny destination wedding, a marquee in the countryside or a grand stately home celebration? Regardless of where it is held, the venue must be one of your first decisions to book and set the date. When you walk around take a check list with you to help compare against other options, does it match your vision for the day, is it easy for guests to reach, is there accommodation, is there parking etc

Once you have decided on when, your budget and the venue, you should start selecting the team that make your special day happen. It really is crucial to take the time to find suppliers that match your requirements and that you like. This may be when you decide to hire a wedding planner who can help source options that fit your style and budget.

Photo credit: www.stylemepretty.com

Q&A: What size wedding cake do I need?

2010-02-14T15:36:00.000Z

Janet from The Cake Fairy in Reading helped us with today's question by providing this handy chart we ofter refer to.

The table illustrates how many and what size tiers you should choose to have enough cake to serve your guests, varying on the shape of cake you prefer and the slice size.

Fruit cake is generally served in finger size portions and sponge in dessert size portions. However the finger size slices are perfect if you are having different flavour tiers and would like to give guests a selection to taste.

Don't forget to consider extra if you would like to keep your top tier after your wedding.

Enjoy picking a delicious cake!

Venue spotlight: Brockhurst, near Newbury in Berkshire

2010-02-10T17:15:00.009Z

We co-ordinated Nicola and Chris’s perfect wedding day at Brockhurst and it truly is a gem of a venue.

As a boarding school it is only available during school holidays limiting the number of weddings the house hosts, maintaining an air of exclusivity for your day.

Brockhurst is licensed for both civil marriages and partnership ceremonies and also has a beautiful ancient church in the grounds just steps away from the house.

The fairytale setting is complete with stained glass windows, a huge oak staircase, open fires, a high beamed ceiling, chandeliers and outside sixty acres of sweeping lawns with a lake.

At a glance:

Civil Licence - 120
Indoor Dining Capacity - 116
Marquee Dining Capacity – 200
Address- Hermitage, Newbury, Berkshire, RG18 9UL
Telephone- 01244 571208

Look out for Nicola and Chri’s wedding photos which will be posted here soon.

Photo credits: SugarBlossom's own

Q&A: What side should the buttonhole be on?

2010-01-27T17:45:00.005Z

There are some questions we regularly get asked that I’ll start sharing on the blog, starting with the popular query ‘What side should the buttonhole be on?’
The men’s buttonholes should be on the left side- easy to remember as it is closest to the heart. It helps the flower stay looking it’s best all day as most people lean in to hug people from the right, the handkerchief should also be on this side.
To attach the buttonhole position it 10cm down from your left shoulder and pin from the underside of the lapel down through the stem and back out to keep the pin hidden and the flower secure. Alternatively if you have a wedding co-ordinator ask them to do it for all the groomsmen!
If you have a burning question you want answered let us know at info@sugarblossom.co.uk

Photo credit: SugarBlossom's own

Your Wedding’s Finishing Touches

2010-01-26T17:26:00.004Z

If you are getting married this summer you may have been focused on the main elements of the wedding day and need to do some final tuning to make your style come together perfectly. As part of our ‘On the Day Co-ordination’ we always complete a final site visit with the bride and groom later in the planning process. It is important to have a last run through when there is still time to make changes, at the visit we visualise how they want the space to be used with the items already ordered, what the venue provide and check what is missing to create the 'wow factor'. When you next go back to your wedding venue consider their colour options and your scheme for the day and check:

If you need to hire any additional tableware, for example coloured napkins, table runners, charger plates, coloured wine glasses can be very effective
Should you order any additional flower decorations, do you want fresh petals sprinkled down your aisle, would it work to use flowers planned for the reception in the ceremony room first?
Do you need to organise for any furniture to be moved?
What style are the chairs- can you hang any name signs, ceremony programmes, flowers, bows or confetti bags on them?
Will you have to source any table name holders, cake stands or the cake knife or are the provided?
If weather permits is there space for any outside decorations, garden games or lighting?
Is there space to display any quirky extras such a photos of older family generations getting married, candy bars or alternative table plans?
Can you customise cocktail stirrers or party flags for cakes?
Is there space to set up a photo booth? You could start collecting fun gimmicks for evening shots, we did this for the wedding pictured for a heap of relaxed shots.

These finishing touches really pull a wedding together. Do get in touch if you need any support in the run up and on your special day x Photo credit: www.breathepictures.com

Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year

2009-12-24T10:25:00.009Z

I hope you all have a wonderful festive time full of love, happiness and much New Year wedding excitement!

The start of 2010 is an ideal time to kick start your wedding preparations, please do get in touch with any wedding related subjects you would like to see featured in SugarBlossom’s blog.

Email info@sugarblossom.co.uk with any questions you want answered, or suggestions if you want to see more fashion topics, hairstyle ideas, real wedding or advice on planning?

Please let me know and we shall do our very best to cover them for you xx

Real Wedding: Simon & Lisa at The Elvetham

2009-12-21T14:25:00.008Z

Simon and Lisa had a beautiful winter wedding at the Elvetham. Lisa looked absolutely stunning in her detailed lace dress and every bit the glowing bride. The venue was built in the late 1900’s and had the original ornate fireplaces lit all day to keep everyone warm, creating a cosy setting combined with the lighting from the scattered candles and candelabra. Lisa has spent two years planning her day and we developed a strong relationship ensuring everything ran smoothly. On the day we worked closely with the suppliers to meet timings and displayed all of her carefully considered details- from the seating chart for the ceremony, homemade cracker favours (instructions to make them here), gift wishing well, festive music in each room and much more leaving them to relax and have a fabulous day.

Photo credits:

1. SugarBlossom

2.www.theelvetham.co.uk

DIY: Vintage Style Flower Cans

2009-12-09T16:29:00.004Z

I’ve found finding these vintage style tins can be incredibly difficult and once you do the cost soon adds up. An alternative to hunting flea markets is using this free Flickr set of images to print straight on to large stickers and use on any tins or cans you have. I found via iDIY who have a whole host of goodies on their blog. A tutorial on making cans vintage pretty is also available via iDIY by clicking here

Photo credit: http://www.marthastewart.com/

Trunkwell House Wedding Fair, Beech Hill, Reading - Sunday 18th October 2009

2009-10-13T11:45:00.004+01:00

We will be at the Trunkwell House wedding fair this weekend providing free wedding advice and have our portfolio of images to inspire you.

Do pop in and say hello if you are in the area.

Venue: Trunkwell House, Beech Hill Rd, Reading, RG7 2AT

Date: Sunday 18th October 2009

Time: 11:00am – 4:00pm

Website: http://www.trunkwell.com/wedding-fayre/

Photo credit: www.trunkwell.com

Star in Romeo & Juliet!

2009-09-30T12:18:00.017+01:00

This would make such a sweet wedding gift for your husband to be! For only £19.95 you can personalise this classic romantic story with your details and have Romeo and Juliet’s names replaced with yours! Click here to visit the website.

Found via Springwise.com

Photo credit: All images from www.gettingpersonal.co.uk

DIY: Sparklers, Straw and Matchbox Wedding Projects

2009-09-29T09:54:00.009+01:00

Are you getting married close to Guy Fawkes night and looking for some final DIY projects to personalise your evening celebrations? Or you may not be celebrating on Bonfire night, but you are having fireworks and would love to add some more fun into the mix? I saw these 4th July pieces a couple of months ago and have been saving them to share for the approaching Autumn brides. Click here to visit the post from Twig and Thistle with instructions and a pdf to download- they are so simple and cheap to make, but brilliantly effective.

Twig and Thistle Via Wedding Caberat

Picture credit: All images from www.twigandthistle.com

Colour Schemes and Details of Your Wedding

2009-09-25T12:26:00.026+01:00

We recently stumbled upon http://www.tiethatbindsweddings.com/ and loved the way they share our passion for a consistent beautiful theme featuring in lots of unique ways throughout your wedding. All the images in this blog entry are from the delightfully talented Mekala from Tie That Binds, for this wedding they produced a range of stunning blue and yellow co-ordinated pieces. Firstly picking your theme and planning your wedding starts with the colours. Your colour scheme says a lot about you as a couple and gives you the chance to make a statement. However, as Mekala comments, don't be closed-minded about where to find your colour scheme. You can find inspiration in anything- from the location of your first date, to your great grandfathers favorite vintage tie. The biggest fad of the season is to skip a colour theme and go with an overall look instead! This look can be inspired by fashion, an era of time, a childhood story, or even a piece of fabric. These invitations were inspired by fabric purchased at £1 a metre! Dig around in your and your groom's history to find a theme that works best for you. In this wedding the colours were inspired by the groom's formal military uniform. The story of the couple surviving 4 years of being apart while he attended West Point Military Academy was a huge part of bringing the wedding together. This brings me to the next big part of planning a wedding: the details. As a frequent attendee of weddings, it's easy for them to blur together. White dress, flower girls, a big kiss, a dance, the end. Tie That Binds strive to find ways to make the wedding unique. For this wedding, the love story of the bride and groom was so significant that they crafted two books - one at each table.

The first book had his version of their love story, and another with hers. These books not only caused the tables to talk amongst themselves and trade books, but also gave those out-of-towners an inside view into how their romance came to be. These types of details were used throughout the rest of the wedding- on the napkins, sweet bags, a vintage pin, handcrafted jewelry gifts- each detail made the wedding unique to the couple and their love. Thank you Mekala for sharing these gorgeous images and the couples story with us. If you are looking for ideas on how to use your theme across your wedding day visit http://www.tiethatbindsweddings.com/ for some fantastic ideas- and the most important and best bit is that the Tie that Binds ship to the UK!

Picture credit: All images from the Tie That Binds, http://www.tiethatbindsweddings.com/

Spring 2010 Colour Palette

2009-09-17T15:25:00.016+01:00

The 2010 Spring colours are here!

Direct from the New York fashion week is a selection of colours put together by top designers that would work perfectly for weddings- mix and match the vibrant brights with classy neutrals to find your colour scheme.

My favourite is the fusion coral with the eucalyptus- such delicate colours. Click here for more details.

Picture credits: http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/Pantone.aspx?pg=20694&ca=4

Top 10 Wedding Day Trends

2009-09-11T23:52:00.000+01:00

I was recently asked what 10 wedding trends SugarBlossom was seeing, below is a summary of my reply, although narrowing it down to just ten was a challenge!...

1. Role Reversals where new style wedding parties can feature a Man of Honour or a Best Woman.

2. Cigar bars and candy bars arranging different types of cigars on a table with personalised matchboxes or paper bags with retro style sweets.

3. Fun colour combinations like lemon and grey and poppy teamed with aqua.

4. Humanist ceremonies allowing couples the flexibility over locations and greater outdoor options.

5. Photos before the ceremony giving the bride and groom more time to enjoy celebrating after the ceremony with guests.

6. Alternative wedding breakfasts from afternoon tea parties or BBQs to evening ceremonies with black tie receptions.

7. Decorating the outside as well as the inside, such as hanging lights in trees or reindeers hired to pose for winter weddings!

8. Eco Chic Weddings, from earth friendly invites to nature loving honeymoons, going green no longer means a compromise on the style of the big day.

9. Hiring wedding items saving on the cost of buying, but adding style with a range of options such as vintage crockery, garden games or chairs (rather than covers).

10. Making it your day by putting a unique mark on all the design elements like quotes in the wedding programmes or pictures as name settings.

Photo credit: pinkfrosting.com.au

Grovefield House Wedding Fair - Sunday 13th September 2009

2009-09-07T19:20:00.000+01:00

We will be at The Grovefield House wedding fair this weekend providing free wedding advice and have our portfolio of images to inspire you. Do pop in and say hello if you are in the area.

Venue: Grovefield House, Taplow Common Road, Burnham, Buckinghamshire, SL1 8LP
Date: Sunday, 13th September 2009
Time: 11:00am – 4:00pm
Website: http://grovefieldhouse.classiclodges.co.uk/

Photo credit: www.classiclodges.co.uk

Small & Sweet Wedding Gift

2009-09-03T20:17:00.000+01:00

I was hunting for something small, but personal to put in Neil's wedding day goodie bag and was delighted to find the seller accessoryalamode on Etsy who could make me a custom made key ring!

I opted for a simple statement with our wedding date and the infinity symbol in cooper and sterling silver- it is so cute and manly too!

Click here to see the listing where Deb is now selling the same design if you are looking for a small, but sweet wedding gift

DIY: Bridal Party Invites

2009-08-26T15:22:00.007+01:00

Anna of Rifle Design has created a fantastically simple step-by-step DIY guide on Oncewed.com, it is such a fun and special way to ask your bridesmaids- click here to view. Enjoy! x

Photo credit: Anna @ www.rifledesign.com for www.oncewed.com

The Wedding Photographer's 10 Best Trends

2009-08-25T11:45:00.014+01:00

Recently we teamed up to write an article with wedding photographer Ian McGraw at ‘Veil & Train’ to share trends we are seeing in today’s Wedding Photography & Planning industries.

Over to Ian for his great tips for your wedding photography:

Contemporary Vintage - give your wedding a real vintage look with meaning and a modern twist by using a photographer who specialises in this specific style. Fine art tones and colour shifts – and don’t forget, dogs at weddings are so cool right now.

Photo Booth - A fun idea is to rent a photo booth for the reception so guests can make their own memories for you. Look out for retro booths and ‘blinged up’ versions that stand out to attract guests.

Pre-Wedding Shoots - not only a great fun way to get to know your photographer before the big day but also excellent feature images to show off at your reception. Posed, relaxed, fun portraits in an interesting location.

Reception prints - put your pre-wedding images in a mount & frame or in a guest album. Upon arrival at the reception guests have the opportunity to sign and leave their best wishes in the book or on the mount itself.

Parents Gifts - instead of giving flowers to parents at your reception why not get your pre-wedding images put into a mini albums or coffee table books as lasting keepsake gifts.

Fine Art Photography - Brides love this style because it reminds them of a fashion spread in a magazine. The photographer directs this style to fulfill a specific artistic vision with a view toproducing a final piece art.

Boudoir - designed as a gift for your fiancé. Boudoir photography is becoming increasingly popular. These are basically sexy pictures taken of you, in your own home or hotel room usually in lingerie or even as a nude or as an illusion of nudity.

Proposal Photography - this is an idea where the Groom to be (or sometimes the Bride)arranges with a photographer to photograph the moment of marriage proposal. More akin to the Paparazzi style of photography, where at least one half of the couple are completely unaware of what will happen.

Trash the Dress - some brides choose to vacuum wrap their dress once the vows have been taken and pack them away on top of the wardrobe. How about this option instead? Imagine a photo shoot where your beautiful dress gets completely destroyed, with you in it! The images are a real talking point.

Cherish the Dress - really the complete opposite of Trash the Dress. This is a dedicated fashion shoot designed to show off your beautiful dress in the most elegant way possible.These shoots are pure indulgence, get your hair and make-up done and get photographed in a fabulous location.

Be Inspired:

• John Michael Cooper - Trash The Dress

• Faye & Trevor Yerbury - Boudoir

• Chris Hanley - Cherish The Dress

• Jose Villa, Jesh De Rox - Fine Art & Contemporary with a vintage feel

• Booth Nation - Seamus Ryan's original photo booth

Photo credit: Veil and Train

It's official: I’m married!

2009-08-20T12:31:00.005+01:00

After being with Neil for twelve years it was finally my turn to be the bride, an exciting change from being at the wedding as a co-ordinator! We had a wonderful day, the months of meticulous planning paid off and everything was perfect- except the only thing I knew I could not control, the British weather! The morning featured heavy rain and the rolls of thunder added drama to the ceremony, but as soon as we stepped outside as husband and wife the sun started shining for us. It was fantastic to be able to have a team of reliable and talented suppliers, they all did such an amazing job and helped to make our special day so perfect. A huge thank you to you all:

Venue: Englemere, Ascot http://www.englemere.co.uk/
Photography: Breathe Pictures, http://www.breathepictures.com/
Stationary: SGPD, http://www.stephengreendesign.co.uk/
Music: Euphonic and Straight Eight, http://www.straighteight.co.uk/
Videographer: Shaun Folds, http://www.beautifullifeuk.com/
Menswear: http://www.stress3hire.com/
Flowers: Longacres nursery, Bagshot
Hair: Natalie Layhe
Cake: Patricia Cox

Photo credits: All images from Neale James from Breathe Pictures. Make sure you get an amazing photographer. Neale is so talented! His work is original and creative, we don’t have enough nice things to say about him. He made us look our best and, even more importantly, he made us feel comfortable.

5 Ways to Make Your Wedding Individual

2009-07-17T12:11:00.012+01:00

Almost every element of your wedding day can be personalised to suit you as a couple, but below are my favourite five ideas that are all easy and inexpensive too:

1. Creative cakes
From colourful cupcakes to towering tiered cakes there is so much choice to pick from that can reflect your style.

2. Artistic table plans
Using escort cards instead can provide so many more interesting display options and help build a theme, from hanging them on branches to writing on pebbles. Click here to take a look at our blog entry dedicated to this.

3. Serve a signature cocktail
Giving guests something unique to sip on is far more memorable than the standard drink list, design your own cocktail that is in your colour scheme and give it a fun name!

4. Bridal Thrones
Well maybe not quite thrones, but dressing the bride and groom’s chair up to stand out from the rest with real flower decorations, sashes embroidered with your initials or hire two unique style chairs.

5. Wedding programmes
You can fill your programme with lots of interesting details for guests to read as they await your arrival. Feature your favourite love quotes, include Martha Stweart's "What Tree Did You Fall From?" page or have a timeline with key dates and events through your relationship

Photo credits:

Cake by www.ericaobrien.com

Programme from www.marthastewartweddings.com

'Every Day I Love You'

2009-06-30T17:35:00.004+01:00

This would make such a cute and unique wedding gift to your husband or wife to be. £230 from Rockett St George

Bridal Style From Around the World

2009-06-19T10:17:00.003+01:00

I love seeing marriage traditions from different countries and backgrounds incorporated into a wedding, so finding this article in the blogosphere was a real treat!

Click here to view how alternative cultures style from bellasugar.

An abundance of great DIY tasks...

2009-06-10T18:06:00.003+01:00

If you haven't already, pop over to Once Wed's new look website to see some fantastic DIY projects amongst other great wedding features...

www.oncewed.com

DIY: Cupcake Flags

2009-05-01T17:02:00.003+01:00

Over at Une Deux Senses there is a simple tutorial on how to make these, click here to read the steps.

They are such a cute and easy DIY piece to make. Get creative and use various wedding messages and your names/wedding date and stick them in your canapés, starters, evening buffet, wherever you fancy for a pretty touch...

Graze on healthy nibbles delivered to your desk

2009-04-03T14:29:00.009+01:00

My first box from Graze has just arrived- there is some very tasty looking fresh pineapple, unusual fire nuts and healthy dried cranberries to pick at. You can personalise the box to your taste for guilt free snacking that will help you pick at the right things to look great in your wedding dress!

Try a free graze box and another half price simply by using this free box code: QPGNGCJC

Real Wedding- Liz & Jack

2009-04-02T15:05:00.018+01:00

We met Ed Clayton, www.edclaytonphotography.co.uk, last autumn at the wonderful L'Ortolan Wedding Fair and have been looking forward since then to sharing his work. It was certainly worth the wait and today we are pleased to showcase Liz and Jacks stunning wedding held in Godalming, Surrey. Although Ed also took these photos in colour, I particularly love the depth and beauty of these black and white shots:

Wedding Ceremony: All Saints Church, Witley, Godalming, Surrey

Reception Location: A marquee in the garden of the Bride's Parent's in Godalming, Surrey

Flowers: flowers at the reception arranged by Bride's Mother

Bride's Dress: Jenny Packham

Shoes: Prada

Groom's suit: Mohair suit from Richard James, Saville Row.

Bed of Roses

2009-03-29T16:35:00.002+01:00

I am having a lazy afternoon browsing the internet and feasting on chocolate (all guilt free after this morning's half marathon, whoop!) and have come across this great website I've not seen before- www.heylandandwhittle.co.uk, I particularly love these rose bed shaped cocoa butter soaps that would be just perfect as favours. xox

Unique & Wonderful Wedding Dresses

2009-03-18T13:46:00.014Z

Liv Lundelius has given us a sneak preview of her Fall 2009 collection. Her label, Blushless, has the most contemporary styles leading the direction of bridal wear, better still they are all made of the finest eco-friendly materials. For all you discerning style-led individuals this is the link to to browse more of the fantastic collection.

Venue Spotlight- Cliveden House

2009-03-06T15:09:00.022Z

Once the exclusive haunt of the rich and famous, Cliveden House is now available as an impressive and romantic setting for your wedding.

We approached the 19th-century house along the half-mile-long drive through spectacular parkland and were shown into the ornate Great Hall, immediately greeted by an abundance of photo opportunities that continued throughout the house with a sweeping oak staircase, classic art, antiques and vast fireplaces.

As well as the beauty of the house, the history and intrigue adds to its appeal- it was the dazzling hub of high society, home to the ‘Astors' and notoriously linked to the 'Profumo Affair'. In the elaborate setting your guests certainly will feel like the movie stars and politicians that had celebrated there in the past (Charlie Chaplin, Winston Churchill, Teddy Roosevelt and George Bernard Shaw were all guests).

Their welcoming and flexible team showed us around the house explaining how each room can be transformed to suit each wedding parties needs. We then had the opportunity to explore some of the 376 acre estate, the magnificent formal gardens overlook the River Thames, and discovered romantic hideaways including the Fountain of Love and the Secret Garden.

The Events Coordinator comments; “We can work very closely with wedding planners to create the day the couple are dreaming about- whether that involves arriving by limousine, a helicopter or even a private jet; we can cater for every demand and wish.” There are a range of options within the house for your ceremony or reception; including Spring Cottage, a secluded retreat of next to the Thames, the exclusive use of the house or a reception in any of the private dining rooms.

Click here for more information. Cliveden, Taplow, Berkshire, SL6 0JF Pictures all provided by Cliveden House.

Perfect Parasols and Unique Umbrellas for Rain or Shine!

2009-03-03T17:02:00.011Z

Pretty ivory umbrellas are part of our wedding day emergency kit to tackle the unpredictable English weather. Although they have been known to come out for posing under on the driest of days! At the same time as protecting you and your guests from the elements they have an equally important function of looking gorgeous in your wedding photos. Some of the parasols and umbrellas we have seen are so pretty they could be used as an alternative to bridesmaids bouquets or to decorate the venue, setting a vintage or exotic feel to the day. We love the last photo to copy for a quirky thank you note. There are step by step instructions on the wedding bee blog here.

Picture credits:

1 & 3- www.brolliesgalore.co.uk

2-www.rhembein.com

4- www.idooriginals.com

Fresh Spring Flowers

2009-02-23T10:33:00.029Z

What gorgeous weather we had this weekend, it certainly does feel like spring is on its way when the sun is out and the sky is blue. Here are some pretty photos of flowers we can look forward to very soon, the freshly picked and relaxed feel would be ideal for a spring time wedding...

All images from www.sia-homefashion.com

Venue Spotlight- Dorney Court, Nr Windsor

2009-02-19T13:41:00.014Z

Near Windsor is Dorney Court, a rustic venue full of charm, we discovered this hidden gem recently and look forward to working with the team there soon.

The house is a Grade I listed building and designated as being of outstanding architectural and historical interest. Dorney Court has always been the manor house of Dorney village and was even recorded in the Doomsday Book.

The history of the manor house, coupled with contemporary feel of the conservatory marquee creates a wonderful backdrop. Not only that, but the venue and grounds are exclusive to you on your special day, and the wedding team is flexible in allowing us to develop your day with few restrictions.

Aimée Spencer, Project Manager adds: "The house is in an ideal location for a romantic rural church wedding. The church is within the beautiful landscaped grounds, only a short stroll away from a reception in The Conservatory marquee".

Click here for more information

Court Lane, Dorney, Nr Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 6QP

All images from www.dorneyevents.co.uk

Photo style 'Save the Dates'

2009-02-18T15:28:00.015Z

Opting for a photo of the two of you as your Save the Date is a memorable and unique way to announce your approaching wedding day. It is a fun way to express yourselves; whether you choose to have a card, fridge magnet, book mark, postcard or any other format!

Image credits:

1. A Cup of Jo

2. Save-the-Date by Lucky Luxe with photography by Wiljax Photography

3. Breathe Pictures

Vintage Style Guestbook

2009-02-06T16:36:00.001Z

I love love love this guestbook by lostmykitty, a UK based Etsy seller. It is ideal for a vintage styled day and lovingly handmade with each page formatted for you and hand bound before it is finished in silk dupioni in your choice of colours. You can even customise it with your choice from laces, ribbons, pins, and charms. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20110363

Real Wedding- Emma & Michael

2009-02-05T12:51:00.040Z

Cara and Nye, from Lillian and Leonard Wedding Photography, captured the perfect images from Emma and Michael’s idyllic wedding in a remote location on the West coast of Scotland. Emma is a textiles designer based in Glasgow; her creativity is expressed in the fantastic details from the day- from chic graphics on the invites and place settings to celebratory tea towels as favours. If you are looking to inject some elegant glamour into your wedding stationary there are some gorgeous examples of her work on her website here. I hope you enjoy browsing the pictures from Lillian and Leonard as much as I did; the light, fresh and airy colours are so appealing…

Photography; Lillian and Leonard Wedding Photography

Graphic design; www.showpony.co.uk

Venue; Crear

Flowers; Mairi Ritchie Floral Design

Catering; The Smiddy Bistro

Music; Archie McAllister and band

All images are from www.lillianandleonard.com

I had a really nice dream last night….

2009-02-03T19:50:00.004Z

... About You!How great is this mug! Ideal for Valentine’s Day, a wedding gift or just a generally nice surprise present if you are the extra loving kind!

£15.95 from Emma Bridgewater

Blog Love from Elizabeth Anne Designs

2009-02-02T10:23:00.006Z

I admit it; I unashamedly stalk the Elizabeth Anne Designs blog, in an entirely non creepy way of course! I obsessively read the latest posts, never being disappointed with their wedding related inspiration. If you have not already I insist you must check their blog out here: www.elizabethannedesigns.com

Imagine my delight to have SugarBlossom Weddings featuring on their mighty Library of recommended suppliers AND on their blog love list, click here to view.

Thank you EAD!

Pillow Talk- Free Valentines DIY Present

2009-02-01T11:51:00.005Z

Wow February already which means less than a fortnight to Valentine’s Day!

If you are wondering what unique, romantic and extra wonderful gift to get for your special person, then wonder no more! Ez at Creature Comforts has saved the day with this perfect pillow invention- for two pillows to place side by side the words dreamily read 'U COMPLETE ME'.

The ever resourceful and creative Ez over at Creature Comforts has created this fantastic free project and download. Click here for her step by step guide.

Images from http://creaturecomforts.typepad.com

Hot Bridal Hair Looks For 2009

2009-01-26T10:49:00.034Z

We are delighted to have our very own wedding hair expert sharing her vast knowledge on our blog. Jo from http://www.lovehair.co.uk/ has kindly offered to share with us her tips on what is hot for bridal hair in 2009. Jo's years of experience include training with Channel 4 'The Salon's' Paul Merrit, styling 'Ugly Betty's' Ashley Jensen and working in Gretna Green where she was was often styling up to 10 brides a day!

This year is all about understated glamour weather it be messy, but structured styles or simple lady like up do’s. We have moved on from the Boho waves and huge perfectly coiffered hairs of 2008 and on to something more stylish and ladylike… think breakfast at Tiffanys. The other looks that are going to be big as well as messy are the Birds nests. Plus bows and plaits are back!

1. Small and chic veil They have been creeping in over 2007 and 2008, but 2009 is going to see these little treasure everywhere. Not just on brides but bridesmaids, mum’s, and guests too, they add instant glamour to any hair up do.

2. Messy up-do

There is more to this than meets the eye and if you are getting married, but not dreaming of the smooth structured styles then why not try this sexier messier version. Keep the outline shape strong and the hair around your face smoother in contrast and to give you a beautiful profile. Remember while Diana Vicker’s hair looks great, this is your wedding day and you have a long time to look at these photos so don’t do anything you will regret!

3. Classic up-do

A perfect look for brides and bridesmaids alike, a low chic up do can be kept simple and also looks great with flowers, corsages, head bands and bows. It is catching on- Stella McCartney recently sent models out with neat ballerina style buns for her Spring Summer 09 collection. It is all about being effortlessly beautiful in 2009.

4. Half up with curls

This style was everywhere last year as it will be this year. It is elegant and is great for those of you who just can not decide whether to go up or down. It takes the hair off your face but leaves it on your shoulders for a softer look. Perfect. And this year it will be slightly more structured with vintage style curls rather than tousled waves.

Love Hair are fully qualified and experienced wedding hairdressers that will visit your home or hotel in London and the South East of England. Sit back, relax and enjoy this wonderful experience on your big day! With a full consultation included, all you have to do is enjoy being pampered and if you book this week you can get an extra 10% off! http://www.lovehair.co.uk/

Images from Lovehair.co.uk

Sweet Signs to Guide Your Wedding Guests

2009-01-21T11:42:00.003Z

I spotted these cute wedding signs on Cox and Cox’s website earlier. What a pretty way to make sure that all your guests know where they should be heading. These enamel signs are printed on both sides, so they are tough enough to hang outside and to overcome any windy weather that may turn them over. They start from only £10.00 and you can find them here http://www.coxandcox.co.uk/categories/any-excuse-for-a-party

Images from Coxandcox.co.uk

I love you more than being in a plane taking off to our holiday destination

2009-01-19T09:46:00.004Z

What does love mean to you, without all the cliché lines?

Paperwhite studio is exploring how we measure love in real terms; visit their blog here to read heaps of meaningful comments left on what love means to different people.

Some of my favourites include ‘I love you more than finally being able to sneeze’, ‘I love you more than singing in the shower’, ‘I love you more than my birthday’… oh there are so many that will make you smile and nod your head at the computer…

go take a look http://iloveyoumorethanblank.blogspot.com/

Image from http://iloveyoumorethanblank.blogspot.com/

Simple DIY Steps for Gorgeous Wedding Trees

2009-01-02T10:34:00.011Z

Branches are a fantastically effective way to decorate a venue or have as a table centre. We were inspired by the picture above to have some fun with spray cans and hanging crystal garlands for a winter wonderland effect. They can also serve a purpose as well as being a pretty embellishment; why not use branches to hang luggage style tags for guests to write their messages on in place of a guest book? Or a wishing tree is an ideal whimsical task for such a dreamy decoration. The latest blog from the wonderful Wedding Chicks is dedicated to this very topic; the girls with good taste have looked into how guests can leave you meaningful messages here.

Together with decorativebranches.com they have put these six easy steps together for creating a decoration with branches. Click here to look at their blog for more details and enjoy what may be one of your first DIY projects for 2009!

Picture credits: 1. www.etheraldecor.com 2. www.weddingchicks.com

Make your Own Christmas Cracker Favours

2008-11-24T14:25:00.058Z

The talented Nella from http://www.lostmykitty.etsy.com/ has kindly offered to share her DIY tips for making crackers- these are such a personal favour option and ideal for a festive wedding. Check out her Etsy shop that has unique wedding crafts all made with love and care. From mini photo albums to silk corsages, I am sure there is something that you will fall in love with as an individual piece for your wedding day.

What You’ll Need- Makes a 10 ¼ inch cracker with a 5” x 2” cylinder for filling.

Wrapping paper (cut to 7” x 12”) – It is important to use a thicker paper as crackers made with thin sheets will tear apart too easily while being constructed.
Center tube (5” x 6” sealed with glue or tape) and ends (cut into 2” x 6” strips) – I purchased a sheet of handmade 90 weight ivory paper.
Cracker snaps
Fillers: fortunes, jokes, riddles, or a Christmas themed cutout; small gifts; and chocolates – I’ve used Sterling Silver Christmas charms and pretty silver ornaments for mine.
Organza ribbon (two 12” and one 5” strips)
Jingle Bells – It just wouldn’t be Christmas without that particular little jingle!
Utility Knife
Scissors
Metal Ruler
Cutting MatGlue Stick and Tape

Instructions:

Step 1 – Divide your 12” Wrapping paper sheet lengthwise at the intervals 2” 1.5” 5” 1.5” 2”. Draw lines along those intervals. Now mark ½” up the sheet in the 1.5” space and then score on each side. This will make it much easier to close your cracker ends without it tearing.

Step 2 – Glue and tape down your Cracker snap to the lengthwise center of the sheet.

Step 3 – Tape one end of the paper and roll the paper onto the center tube using the center lines you’ve drawn as a guide. Add a strip of glue to the edge of the wrapping paper and seal.

Step 4 – Tie off one end of your cracker with the 12” strip of organza ribbon. Be careful not to tie it too tight so as not to rip the paper. Now you are ready to fill your cracker!

Step 5 – Here I have all the items I’ve put in my crackers I’ve attached the Sterling Silver Snowflake to one of the Christmas ornaments using the 5” strip of organza ribbon. Fill the cracker and tie off the other end using the remaining 12” strip of organza ribbon.

Step 6 – Now that your cracker is complete, roll the 2” x 6” strips into the ends of the cracker to keep them nice and stiff.

Step 7 – To add the jingle bells, thread each bell to each end of the organza ribbon. Push the bell down the ribbon and then tie a pretty little bow.

Step 8 – Your cracker is now complete! Fight the urge to make it snap. I unfortunately couldn’t help myself with this one but it was the best two seconds ever!

What it will cost:

Paperchase Wrapping Paper 2m 3.50 25 Paperchase Round Ornaments 3.50 72 Paperchase Jingle Bells 3.50 90 weight Ivory paper from Jarrold’s 1.70 Roll of Ribbon from Jarrold’s .99 25 Cracker Snaps on Ebay 2.40 Sterling Silver Charms on Ebay 17.99 Chocolates from M&S 1.98

Total 2.40 per cracker. Can’t beat that price for Sterling Silver!

Bella Barcelona- A Mediterranean Wedding

2008-11-09T10:00:00.014Z

Having just returned from coordinating a client exhibition in Barcelona, I am full of love for the city. The event was held at the base of a castle, the perfect setting for romantic visions of wonderful Spanish weddings in the city or local villages. The photo opportunities are limitless, the city is surrounded by mountains and the sea combined with Gaudi's architecture you will be spoilt for creative backdrops. Gastronomically you and your guests will be in for a treat. Catalans take their love of Mediterranean food and wine very seriously, and the area is famed for producing the best sparkling wine ¨Cava¨ in Spain.

These images highlight just some of the gorgeous locations- you could get married in the old rooms of the Capuchin monks, have an outdoor ceremony with wonderful views, in a stylish art deco hotel or aboard a yacht.

The region is very accessible, with its three airports (Barcelona, Girona & Reus) serviced by many airlines. There are also an enormous number and variety of accommodation options, particularly apartment hire to make your wedding an affordable experience for you and all your guests.

P.s… You will need: application to marry form, certificate of no impediment, certified translations of all required documents, official declaration stating where you reside and a consular registration certificate. Residency requirement is 21 days if non-catholic and nonresident. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice. It is important that you verify all information with the local marriage license office before making any wedding or travel plans.

Picture credits:

1. Monastery El Convent in Blanes http://www.el-convent.com/

2. Gaudi collage by Fernanda Ferreira, Flickr

3. Capella de l'Hospital de Sant Pere http://www.poblesdecatalunya.cat/

4. Ayre Hotel Gran Via http://www.ayrehoteles.com/

Timeless Beauty of Clay Flowers

2008-10-24T09:58:00.002+01:00

Nella and Jonathan McCraw got married earlier this month in Edinburgh. Instead of classic fresh flowers Nella opted for clay flowers by Blossoms that look astonishingly lifelike and added a quirky touch to their wedding day. Wedding photographer John Carroll captured these great shots of Nella’s bouquet.

Debashri at Blossoms is an etsy seller who made all of the flowers in these photos. She creates the most beautiful clay flowers, crafted petal by petal.

Although looking incredibly delicate they are durable, yet feather-weight.With clay flowers you can have any flower you love, regardless of the season and keep them for a lifetime after your wedding day. They can even be scented with your favourite fragrances, designed to wear in your hair or have as your wedding cake topper.

Photo credits: 1, 2, 3 & 4- John Carroll (http://www.johncarrollphotography.com/) 5- Blossom & Blooms http://www.debashri.etsy.com/ / http://www.blossomsandblooms.blogspot.com/

A Perfect Website for DIY Inspiration

2008-10-07T17:09:00.002+01:00

We blogged recently on some of the wonderful Martha Stewart’s DIY projects, that was the start of the DIY frenzy- admittedly nothing has been created in the real world, yet, but in our virtual world we have saved lots and lots of great ideas to try! Now is the perfect time to start practicing with these ventures now the nights are starting to draw in- what better way to spend the evening than cosying up with a glass of red wine and a pile of ribbons/crepe paper/glue… surely that is not just our idea of a great time! Visit this website for masses of absolutely fab ideas www.oneprettything.com

The Church of England Relaxes Wedding Law

2008-10-01T16:07:00.001+01:00

Today’s new law makes it much easier to pick your ceremony venue if you were considering an Anglican church. Previously, the only way you could get married in a church was if you attended regularly, lived in the parish or applied for a special license. From today under the new rules you can marry in a church if:

Either of you were baptized or prepared for confirmation there
Either of you has lived in the parish for six months
Either of you has regularly worshipped in the parish for six months
Either of your parents has lived in the parish for six months during your lifetime
Either of your parents has regularly worshipped there for six months in your lifetime
Either of your parents or grandparents were married there

There are over 16,000 Church of England venues to pick from so this really is an exciting step forward on finding your prefect ceremony location. For any further help on finding your venue email us at enquiries@sugarblossom.co.uk

Operation Nice!

2008-10-01T11:06:00.001+01:00

Operation Nice is guaranteed to brighten up your day! The creator is the very lovely Melissa from Melissa Head Design who encourages individuals to be proactively NICE. Click here to visit her site and read some positive news, upbeat stories and download tools to make the world a brighter place.

Martha Stewart has the Dreamiest Wedding Ideas…

2008-09-28T00:47:00.001+01:00

We have just spent five fun packed days in Toronto- it is such a hip city with a relaxed vibe, we would definitely recommend it. Anyhow, no holiday would be complete without purchasing a whole heap of wedding magazines for fresh ideas on alternative traditions and styling. What we have just discovered, and I am so eager to share, is Martha Stewart Weddings, mentioned repeatedly in the magazines for a very good reason- she is a wedding guru with absolutely exceptional taste. All of the pictures on this blog are from her site, but the best bit is they are all DIY projects you can make yourself. Visit here to become as equally addicted as us!

Follow SugarBlossom’s Blog!

2008-09-17T09:23:00.000+01:00

Blogspot has come out with their newest feature- Follow This Blog. We would love to see who is reading our blog; it would be great if you could take a moment to Follow Me using the link on the right of our blog. You can sign up whether publicly or anonymously, if you Follow Me publicly we can follow you back! Thank you x

Love Fortune Tellers

2008-09-15T09:24:00.002+01:00

These are a quirky keepsake that can be used in a number of fun ways- an alternative wedding breakfast menu, a trivia quiz on you and your new husband or uncovering romantic love quotes. We adore the ‘Love Origami’ by Cox & Cox (image above) that have French phrases underneath the colourful hearts; a pack of 30 is only £10.00.

They look pretty displayed piled up in vases or scattered over the tables during the wedding breakfast.

If you have the time why not try making them yourself, as possibly the simplest form of origami they are so easy to do we can recall making these in the school playground! Click here for a useful template to use. If you do decide to get creative and do them yourself we would love to see the end results- email us at enquiries@sugarblossom.co.uk

Image on left from Martha Stewart Weddings

Real Wedding- Alex & Craig

2008-09-01T17:28:00.002+01:00

Sandra, from Divine Day Photography, has a natural talent at putting people at ease and the skill of capturing unscripted wedding moments as they happen. We love this wedding she took at the National Liberal Club in London, Alex and Craig’s chic city wedding is full of fun touches. This stunning venue is located in the heart of London with the gorgeous terrace overlooking the river Thames and Embankment Gardens.

These shots illustrate why Sandra has recently won an award from the Artistic Guild of Wedding Photography Journalism. Be sure to check out Divine Day’s website, for more of Alex and Craig’s lovely day!

A Modern Alternative to Table Plans- Escort Cards

2008-08-27T15:12:00.001+01:00

We are not being disloyal to our love of table plans in anyway, but today is the day to announce that we have also been admiring escort cards on American websites from afar and feel like showing off some of our favourite finds to raise the profile of them a little more over in the UK. If you are having designated seating you will need a table plan, or the popular American alternative of escort cards, to let your guests know what table they will be sitting at.

The most popular designs are either tent folded so they stand easily - you simply write your guest name on the front and their table name/number inside, or a card tucked into a miniature envelope with the guest's name written on the outside.

You can make a pretty display with escort cards by arranging them on a table in rows separated by flowers or by hanging or pegging them over a length of ribbon.

These save the normal crush at the table plan and also let your wedding planner or a bridesmaid make any adjustments that may be needed on the day.

Displaying the escort cards hanging from a ‘tree’ (or multiple trees) is stunning:

Wishing rocks are an alternative idea, simply place a rock on, or near, each escort card, along with a sign instructing guests to make a wish for the couple on their respective rock and then place it in a large vase. After the wedding you can keep it at home, a container filled with good wishes:

Picture credits: Meg Smith, Paperdolls, Style Me Pretty and The Knot

Dine in the Sky

2008-08-20T11:27:00.001+01:00

A mini blog today to show you this fun idea for an engagement party meal, or even your wedding breakfast! Celebrate your nuptials high in the sky and you will literally feel like you are floating on air! Check out www.dinnerinthesky.com

Images from dinnerinthesky.com

Inspiring Invites with a 2009 Preview

2008-08-07T14:10:00.001+01:00

If invitations could walk many would be worthy of their own high fashion catwalk shows- here in the UK we have some of the most amazing designers and today we are lucky enough to showcase some of their work. The invites below are new for 2009 from Kelly Geeson Designs

(http://www.kellygeesondesigns.co.uk/):

Big thank you to Kelly Geeson Designs for this exclusive sneak preview to SugarBlossom blog readers before the invites appear in any magazines.

Kelly Geeson Designs also has some top tips for choosing your invitations:

Don't be afraid to use colour. An elegant and stylish look can easily be achieved without sticking to ivory and cream
Make sure you allow plenty of time to have your stationery designed and printed
If you are stuck for a theme or idea for your stationery make a list of ideas that you are using throughout the rest of your day, such as your choice of flowers, the style of your dress, any jewellery you have chosen, etc, and a bespoke design can be created to match.

Another designer we are besotted with is Sugalily (http://www.sugalily.co.uk/)- they have a stunning range of invites, we particularly adore the ‘Vintage Glitz & Glamour’ and ‘Country Garden’ ranges shown below:

It is not only us mere SugarBlossom wedding planners that have fallen for Sugalily’s charms- A list couple Pearl Lowe and Danny Goffey, part of the famous Primrose Hill set, have recently picked Sugarlily to design all of the stationery for their vintage inspired wedding.

Whilst it may seem the purpose of invites is to gaze at their beauty, there are some fundamental pieces of information to remember to include:

Reply card with any dietary requirements
Directions and map
Local hotels/guesthouses/B&Bs for people needing to stay over. If the hotel is providing a special rate for guests at your wedding, make sure to mention it.
An optional gift list there are mixed views on whether this should be included or only made available if people request a copy, although it is becoming more and more common to pop in with the invite.
Transport options to get to the area - train, bus, airports.
Information about Car Parking if required
Local Taxi numbers for the evening or those without cars
Any other details that may be useful if people are staying for a weekend; such as local attractions, taxi numbers, restaurants…

Don’t miss a blog! Subscribe using the link above or email enquiries@sugarblossom.co.uk for regular wedding updates.

Launch Your Wedding Style with Save the Dates

2008-08-06T15:57:00.001+01:00

We had considered blogging on stationery as a whole, but the topic is too immense and too much fun to sum up that simply!

And why would we want to… so first up, Save the Dates- announcing upcoming weddings, the first opportunity to set the style and expectations of your big day.

I must admit for my wedding I initially saw these as a good excuse to start getting creative and shouting about our wedding as early as possible! But the response we got to them was great and made us realise how valuable they are.

The early broadcast of planned nuptials meant guests who lived abroad were able to start planning their trips to the UK and for our friends and family at home it made sure they kept their diaries clear and had plenty of notice for travel arrangements.

This is why we encourage our clients to embrace the start of the stationery frenzy with Save the Dates- whether cards, fridge magnets, book marks, theatre style tickets or even paperweights they are a great way to maximize the number of guests that will be able to make your wedding.

Subscribe to our blog to make sure you don’t miss our future blogs on invites, order of the day and table plans, menus and thank you cards.

Wedding Cakes- Almost too Pretty to Eat!

2008-07-29T16:15:00.002+01:00

SugarBlossom love everything sweet and sugary, so wedding cakes, whether wacky, whimsical or elegant, are always a highlight of our planning! Having a wedding cake is an old tradition, but one that has evolved over the years- in medieval times it was sweet bread that was thrown at the couple to determine how many children the couple would have and a sign of good fortune. Thankfully, today the wedding cake is motionless and displayed in a prominent position to be admired. Your cake is a fantastic opportunity to be creative and dream up elaborate ideas with your wedding planner to reflect your personalities. Specialist wedding cake companies can make these a reality to the extent some seem more like pieces of art!

Little Venice Cake Company, MaisieFantasie and Peggy Porschen are all well known for their stunning wedding cakes and come highly recommended by us, also favoured by many celebs.

If you have the tastes of the celebrities, but not necessarily the budget, we also absolutely adore The Cake Fairy (http://www.thecakefairy.com/) they create incredibly tasty works of art without the price tag to match! Guidelines for servings: Round sponge: 6” = 14 8” = 28 10” = 46 12” = 66 Square sponge: 6” = 18 8” = 32 10” = 50 12” = 72 Round fruit: 6” = 28 8” = 48 10” = 80 12” = 112 Square fruit: 6” = 36 8” = 64 10” = 100 12” = 144

Marriage- The Perfect Excuse For an Extravagant Holiday…

2008-07-23T13:49:00.001+01:00

Your honeymoon is a once in a lifetime opportunity to go somewhere exotic or incredibly romantic to celebrate the start of your new life as a married couple.

Whether you are looking for pure indulgence on an island retreat or exploring far flung culture, here are some locations to consider depending on the season you are getting married:

Winter (Jan to Mar) This is an ideal time to visit the Caribbean or the Indian Ocean, particularly Sri Lanka & the Maldives
Spring (Apr to Jun) South East Asia is great at this time of year with a mix of city and fantastic beach options, we love the Vietnamese vibe in Hanoi followed by Langkawi’s fantastic beaches
Summer (Jul to Sep) There are more choices closer to home in the summer, why not try the romance of the Amalfi coast or the glamour of the Côte d’Azur?
Autumn (Oct to Dec) Venture to the other side of the world to benefit from New Zealand's or Australia's summer weather, perfect for a mix of adrenaline activities and beautiful scenery.

Lastly wherever you choose to go; Don’t forget to take a copy of your marriage certificate and let everyone know you’re on honeymoon to get complimentary extras like room upgrades, massages, fruit, wine etc… Also if you are going to change your passport into your married name make sure that all documents and booking details are all in the same name and not a mixture of maiden and married name.

Image is from our collection

Flower Flair on a Budget

2008-07-16T13:00:00.001+01:00

We love flowers here at SugarBlossom and would never let a limited budget put us off- in fact we relish the challenge and enjoy thinking creatively with our clients to stimulate some amazing ideas. Obviously the easiest way to save money is to have fewer flowers or not opt for the fussier styles. Here are our top 3 tips for saving money on flowers:

Give flowers that may seem dull on first impressions a chance; for example carnations in a pomander ball look stunning
Buy seasonal flowers – over the year the cost of flowers fluctuates due to what’s in season and key events like Valentine’s Day and Mothers Day.
Give flowers more than one role! Move the ceremony flowers to your reception and pop the bridesmaids bouquets in vases or bouquet holders

Ten Ways to Have an Eco Chic Wedding

2008-07-09T18:24:00.001+01:00

From earth friendly invites to nature loving honeymoons, going green no longer means you have to compromise on the style of your big day. The average UK wedding can produce 14.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions (Findings from the offset company Climate Care). By incorporating SugarBlossom's green ideas into your wedding planning you can help reduce the size of your wedding's carbon footprint on the environment. 1. Pick your venue Choosing a location that is as close to as many of your guests as possible will reduce your wedding’s impact in a big way. Also research locations where the proceeds support eco-friendly causes, the National Trust is worth investigating. 2. Greener transportation You’ve picked the venue, now how will you and your guests get there- try to provide as much information on local transport options as possible. Also why not arrive at the reception with your groom on a romantic tandem bicycle? 3. Source locally Almost anything can be found locally, but some things are more important than others. Food and drinks are a great place to start and to show off your region’s best. To find local food producers, visit www.bigbarn.co.uk 4. Ideal invites There is an increasing number of suppliers of recycled, handmade, or tree-free invitations out there, Cherry Gorgeous is one of my favourites- their cards are both ethical and stylish. 5. Dress the part Recycle a dress—whether it's your mother's gown or a gorgeous find from a vintage shop. Borrowing jewellery also makes a great "something borrowed”. 6. With this ring… Pledge your commitment to the earth and each other by choosing a ring made with environmentally conscious precious metals and conflict-free diamonds.

7. Flower power Before choosing your bouquet, look for a florist that supports organic flower farms and uses seasonal wildflowers- you could cut the emissions that would be generated by shipping flowers from far away. 8. Do the environment a favour When it comes to wedding favours, why not share a living gift, like a small potted plant, with each guest. Packets of seeds and soy soap also make great green favours. 9. Gifts of conscience Ethical gift lists are on the rise; the Oxfam Unwrapped service has tripled in the last year and By Nature’s unique wedding list service have a selection of green, organic and ethical products. If you have all you need, why not create an online donation list to a worthy cause or ask guests to dedicate trees to you both in the MarryMeWood (www.carbonneutral.com/weddings). 10. Enjoy an all-natural honeymoon Plan a honeymoon where you can commune with nature at an eco-resort that preserves the environment. Both Responsible Travel and Ecoescape have lots of dream destinations. A wedding planner can assist you in designing a wedding to your unique specifications, even more helpful when you wish to infuse eco-chic elements into the celebration. Working with an expert, such as SugarBlossom is the best possible way to cut through the clutter to discover the things you believe in, and will love.

Candy Bars Are Not Just for Children!

2008-07-08T17:38:00.002+01:00

These are massively popular in the US and are getting more and more common over here too- which is great news , they look as good as they taste. SugarBlossom are organising a pretty ivory coordinated candy bar for an approaching wedding, it is an adult only wedding- but we are confident the guests will love filling paper bags with retro style sweets. We have found using different style vases, some on cake stands for height, create a gorgeous display.

Image from Suzanneblack.co.uk