FlutterFly Events

New Blog

2011-03-19T11:00:00.002Z

Hi Everyone,

This blog has now moved to the following domain: http://flutterflyevents.com/blog/

I look forward to seeing you over there!

Erika

UKAWP Wedding Sanctuary

2011-02-13T11:09:00.001Z

Come meet me and other UKAWP wedding planners and industry experts at the Wedding Sanctuary hosted at the prestigious Somerset House on March 20th, 2011!

The Wedding Sanctuary is an innovative wedding show designed to offer top design inspiration, personal style advice and one to one planning support. This will be YOUR one stop planning refuge!

I'll be giving a talk on how to plan your timings for the wedding day so be sure to swing by and listen to this extremely important topic. Our industry experts include:

Julia Boggio Photography
Amanda Austin Flowers
Cutture
Zoe Clarke Cakes
Sassi Holford
Gorgeous Film Productions
Table Talk
Emmy
Sternberg Clarke
Elle Au Naturel
Katrina Choat Image Consultancy
Wedding Magazine
Staggered

Details
Date: Sunday, March 20th
Time: 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm
Tickets: £10 for a single and £15 for a double Click here for ticket purchase.

Eltham Palace Bridal Open Day

2011-02-05T14:05:00.000Z

FlutterFly Events will be at one of finest wedding exhibitions in London on February 19th. Eltham Palace is holding their annual bridal open day for brides and grooms interested in hosting their wedding at this stunning venue.

Set within tranquil moated gardens, Eltham Palace was once the childhood home of Henry VIII. The venue boasts a mix of medieval style, art deco and Hollywood glamour, perfectly situated in a private gated area surrounded by lush manicured gardens.

Come visit us and other London wedding suppliers from 11am-4pm on 19th February 2011.

Credits: Eltham Palace and Zafferno

FlutterFly in the Press

2011-01-29T13:27:00.000Z

Happy weekend! Check out my budget saving tips on page 119 of the March/April issue of You and Your Wedding. It's a great start to the 2011!

FlutterFly is Re-Branding

2011-01-26T08:31:00.001Z

FlutterFly Event's is re-branding! Our new website will be complete in mid-February but in the meantime have a look at our new logo:

A Gorgeous Succulent

2011-01-25T18:32:00.000Z

Succulents are a big hit with US weddings and it's only a matter of time before they get big with the UK weddings market. Enjoy these gorgeous floral designs and let us know what you think:

Image from Elizabeth Anne Designs (EAD), photo by Amy Squires

Image from EAD

Photo by Amy Squires

Image from EAD and Green Wedding Shoes

Image from Style Me Pretty, photo by Erin Heart's Court

Images from The Knot and JL Designs

Wise Wedding Tip

2011-01-25T09:55:00.003Z

Wise wedding tip # 2

If you and your fiance are from countries that speak different languages, consider having a short reading at the Ceremony followed by the same reading in the other language.

Giles Penfound

Guest Management

2011-01-20T13:50:00.002Z

Having a database or tracker for your wedding guests is uber important. You need to store important information such as guests attending, mailing address and assigned seating. Here are some tips on how to go about staying organized:

Set up a guest tracker in a user friendly program such as Excel. My tracker has 15 columns but adjust yours to the way you're organizing your reception. These are my columns:

Guest Name
Mailing Address
Phone Number
Email Address
Reply Card Number
Date Invitation Mailed
Date RSVP Received
RSVP Accepted
Attending Ceremony
Attending Reception
Meal Preference
Dietary Requirements
Table Number
Gift Received
Date Thank you Card Mailed

Let us know what else you have in your guest management system. We'd love to hear from you.

Wise Wedding Tip

2011-01-11T23:19:00.000Z

To kick off a series of Wise Wedding Tips, today I'll talk about the WEAR and the WHERE:

Wise Wedding Tip 1:

Two of your biggest decisions will be choosing what to wear and where to getting married. I suggest deciding WHERE first as the style of the venue will have a big impact on design decisions later in the planning process. Besides, imagine buying a formal ball gown dress then finding out that the only openings in June are at a horse ranch!

Love,
Erika Unbehaun
FlutterFly Events

A Martini Trend

2011-01-10T16:26:00.000Z

One big wedding trend I'm loving this year is food served in Martini glasses. Add a bit of chic to your celebration by bringing out your starter or dessert course in the Martini glasses, or having a late night buffet with a table full of Martinis!

Fill your glasses with the following:
Shrimp Cocktail
Mashed potatoes
Asparagus Risotto
Scrambled Eggs
Ice Cream or Sorbet

A Beautiful Dress

2011-01-06T17:01:00.001Z

I come across beautiful things most days on the job. Diamonds, boxes folded to perfection, gorgeous silk draped around doorways, and more. I wanted to share this beautiful Vera Wang gown with you as the sweetheart neckline and ruffles with incredible texture took my breath away. I can already envision a truly divine wedding with this gown...

The Fabulous You

2011-01-04T14:52:00.000Z

Like most brides I assume you want to look like a better version of yourself on your wedding day? Step up your health and beauty regime and jump kick your fabulous booty into gear. At least three months before your wedding day you should make some small tweaks, if necessary.

FlutterFly's top tips to a more fabulous you:

1. Improve your diet by cutting out everything you know is bad for you- white breads, starchy foods, sugar, alcohol, and fatty foods. For me, dairy products cause breakouts so I completely avoid these when I have a big event. Eat green vegetables and foods containing omega 3 and protein such as salmon, avocado, almonds and egg whites.

2. Aim for at least 30 minutes of cardio exercise three (3) times per week then increase this to five (5) times per week. The blood flow will help increase metabolism and get your skin glowing!

3. Lightly exfoliate every three (3) days to get rid of dead skin cells and to increase cell turnover. You will notice a softer and brighter complexion immediately.

4. If you're a sufferer of dry and frizzy hair, start using a good shampoo, conditioner and serum such as Kerastase. This brand has done wonders for my dry, split end mane. Another tip is to use the cool setting on the blow dryer for one (1) minute after your hair is completely dry. Blast the cool air from root to ends for a sleek and frizz free finish.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T06:54:00.002Z

Happy New Year!!

Congratulations to all the newly engaged couples. 2011 will be the most exciting year of your lives together. Your love for one another will continue to grow as you get to plan the wedding of your dreams. It doesn't stop at the wedding- the wedding isn't just an event, it's the beginning of a new life together.

Thank you to all of our suppliers. Without you we wouldn't be the great company we are today, FlutterFly Events. Wishing you a happy, safe and successful 2011.

To all our friends and family- we love you and look forward to spending another great year with you.

Cheers, love, safety, healthy and success. Happy New Years 2011

Wedding Stationery Tips

2010-12-31T16:59:00.000Z

When talking to newly engaged couples, whether they're based in America, Canada, Australia or the UK, the same topic always comes up: "Erika, what is your opinion on wedding stationery?" I could go on and on about the importance of stationery for an entire day but instead I'm going to furnish you with some of my favourite wedding stationery tips. If you want some further information on wedding stationery wording and etiquette, then visit my previous post.

1. Your invitation sets the overall tone for the wedding. Be sure it reflects the style or theme of your event. Example: If you're having a formal and elegant wedding, make sure your stationery is elegant and formal in terms of font, paper stock and embellishments, so your guests know what to expect.

2. Though not necessary, save-the-date cards increase excitement for your special event and will give you a better sense of how many people to expect at the wedding. Plus, more people are likely to show up at the wedding as they won't book plans during your wedding week/end

3. The envelope is the first impression of the wedding so make sure it stands out by using a calligrapher, good penmanship, exquisite stamps, or a gorgeous embellishment

4. Create a consistent look across all your wedding stationery, including: save the dates, invitations, order of service, place cards, menus, and Thanks Yous

If you'd like any creative ideas please feel free to contact us. Happy New Years Eve!

First Steps of Planning Your Wedding

2010-12-27T06:07:00.000Z

Congratulations you're ENGAGED!!!

You've never planned a wedding before so where do you start?

Step 1: Get Focused

· Set your budget. Figure out realistically how much you have to spend on your wedding

· Guest list. What size wedding do you want? Together with your fiancé and family, write down a must list and a maybe list

Step 2: Location

· Where do you want to get married? In your hometown? Destination wedding?

· The style of wedding you want to have will reflect the venues you start to look at

Step 3: Style

· Focus on what YOU want, not what others have told you.

· Sit down as a couple and discuss your dream wedding. Flip through magazines and browse the web for things you like and dislike. StyleMePretty

· Start thinking about style of wedding- classic, traditional, elegant, modern, whimsical, formal, informal, etc.

Step 4: Prioritize

· What’s truly involved- focus on priorities

· Is good reception music high up on your priority list, or would you rather plug in an iPod and splurge on flowers?

· What’s important to you? Start budgeting for your priorities. Fill out priority worksheet provided by FlutterFly Events (contact us for your worksheet)

Step 5: Find Dream Team

· Find wedding vendors to match your budget and complement your style and personality

· Ask friends and family for vendor referrals

· Make sure you get along with your vendors, as well as being confident in their work. They will be with you throughout your engagement and you want to share this wonderful experience with someone you can have fun with

Step 6: Design

· Pick your colour scheme and theme, if you have one. This influences everything from save the dates to the dress to flowers and food

· Think about additional design touches such as lighting, furniture and décor

· Choosing your colour palette:

What are your favourite colours?

What does your venue look like?

What season will your wedding take place?

Pair cool colours with warm colours?

Start with two colours, three at the most.

Reduce, Re-use, Recycle

2010-12-17T16:36:00.001Z

Flowers are at the heart of every wedding. When you hear the word, "wedding" you most likely have visuals of a man, woman, a white dress and lots of fluffy wedding flowers. Right? You may envision an aisle runner lined with hundreds of white hydrangeas, or your banqueting tables having large vases overflowing with beautiful pink orchids, but then comes the reality... wedding flowers are a pricey business. Can you still have your hydrangeas and orchids even if you don't have an enormous budget? Sure you can, just be honest with your florist about your budget and think about the following tips:

1. Reduce: A couple of statement flower arrangement will be more stunning and remarkable over multiple small arrangements. Together with your florist, try to come up with something that will create a talking point throughout the evening. Note: Guests are likely to remember larger arrangements.

2. Re-Use: Gather up your wedding party and have them transfer the wedding flowers used at the Ceremony, and bring them to the Reception. Flowers can be used in places such as the restrooms, mantels, fireplaces, bars, etc. A move like this must be planned well in advance so there aren't any delays at the Reception venue. If you're travelling a long distance speak to your florist about transporting the flowers.

3. Recycle: If you're having a party on the eve of your wedding, why not re-use the flowers somewhere at the wedding the following day? Similarly, think about ways you can use flowers and herbs for the Ceremony, cocktail reception and dinner. For example, use bunches of lavender to decorate an Escort Card table during the cocktail reception, then have someone place a bundle of lavender on top of each napkin before dinner. You get to recycle the lavender that was originally purchased for decorating the Escort Card table! Win/Win

Rocky Mountain Wedding

2010-12-14T09:48:00.000Z

TV News Reporter and my friend from the University of Colorado at Boulder, Valerie Castro, got married to her lovely fiance, Chris Mosher, in a stunning Rocky Mountain wedding this past September. The marriage took place at the Chapel at Red Rocks in Morrison, Colorado, and a reception followed at the Terrace Gardens Ken Caryl.

As always, the Colorado weather held up beautifully and the sun was beaming against the famous Red Rocks. Every well known musician in the world wants to perform at the Red Rocks Amphitheater and to get married there is a real treat. Their wedding photographer, Lindsay Pierce, captured the day wonderfully and managed to get the bride and groom to roam through the fields for some contemporary photography.

The bride looked gorgeous in her Pronovias and carried a bouquet of lilac, hydrangeas, roses and orchids.

Details: Instead of a Champagne toast, they toasted with a liquor called Aguardiente which is the national drink of Colombia. The bride's mother's side of the family is Colombian so it was a special touch that made the family and friends feel close to one another. The Aguardiente is what led to the idea of tailor made shot glasses as wedding favors! And of course, they also made sure the DJ played lots of Latin music. The DJ did such an incredible job that the bride and groom extended the music license three times on the evening!

2011 Wedding Trends

2010-12-06T14:28:00.002Z

It's that time of the year! Time to post the wedding trends for the new year.

Wedding Trends 2011

Saying "I do's" in doorways! Sounds silly but it's been happening all over the UK. Since the law doesn't permit couples having a ceremony outdoors, the closest they can get to mother nature is next to the door leading outdoors.

Post wedding luncheons, BBQs and parties in general are HOTT. Why end the party at midnight?

The after party after the wedding reception is in full swing. Many of the younger guests are continuing the party at a hotel or lounge after they leave the venue.

Engagement shoots are going to be big in the UK this year. Couples are understanding the importance of the engagement shoot and that it gives them a chance to get comfortable in front of the camera and with their photographer.

A nude palette of peaches, blush pinks and golds are big for 2011 and on the other end of the colour wheel, I'm seeing bold and vibrant colours such as purple, tangerine, fuchsia and bright red.

Table napkins are being adorned with tiny bunches of fresh herbs to add sophistication and scent to the room.

For more 2011 wedding trends please contact Erika at weddings@flutterflyevents.com

Photo by Lloyd Dobbie

A Winter Wedding in London II

2010-12-04T14:39:00.002Z

As a follow up to our previous post on Kayleigh and Dan's upcoming wedding, we'd like to take this time to thank all of the vendors who have offered their services for this special wedding. Kayleigh and Dan will have their ceremony at St. Thomas' Catholic Church Wandsworth, followed by a reception at Selsdon Park and Golf Club on Saturday 19th of February 2011.

Some of the below vendors are no longer involved in this wedding due to a change in date and venue, but we'd like to thank them for offering their time and services/products for such a special couple:

Athena Network
Renata- All About Pearls
Eltham Palace
Sarah Jagger
Euphoric Flowers
Blue Strawberry
Payne and Gunter
Acclaim Food
Vsj Marquee Hire
Drake Algar Flowers
Young Guns UK
Giles Penfound
Unique Thinking and the Windjammer Landing in St. Lucia
Beautiful Bosom
Pearl Pictures
Move Three Sixty
Gift of Bio Energy
Parfum Parfait
Kerry McNair Photography
Cherry Crimp
Palecek-Principles
The Hire Emporium
National Coach Hire
Nicole's make-up and hair
John Vassallo
Frank Noon

Staircases With A Difference

2010-11-29T12:42:00.000Z

Get creative with staircases to make them into unforgettable, grand, beautiful stairs. Our examples show stairs with flowers, stairs with faux flowers, stairs with foliage, stairs with balloons and stairs lined with hurricane lamps. Hope this inspires you!

Credits:
Inside Weddings
Lloyd Dobbie
Source

A Winter Wedding in London

2010-11-23T12:07:00.003Z

Bride-to-be Kayleigh Brannan is one of the friendliest, personable, funniest and caring people I have ever met. She's only 21 years old and has cancer from a brain tumour. Kayleigh is thought to have two to six months left to live but with her positive attitude and ability to love everyone around her, there is hope.

In October 2010 there was an article in the South London Newspaper and The Evening Standard about Kayleigh's condition and how she wanted to get married to Dan as soon as possible. Since the articles, many wedding vendors have come together to offer their services or products on a complimentary basis.

Kayleigh and fiance, Dan, have set their wedding date for 29th January 2011 as the 30th of Jan holds great significance for them as a couple. They will have their reception on the 29th then be whisked away in the wee hours of the morning on the 30th and spend the entire day together as Mr and Mrs.

There will be a fund-raising for them this Saturday the 27th of November in South London. If you'd like to attend, or donate any services, please contact Erika at weddings@flutterflyevents.com or on 020 536 9160 / 0787 217 1660.

Wedding Planning Begins

I ask Kayleigh to describe her perfect venue. She gives me words such as, "greenery, beautiful, princess, castle, water". I knew right then that Eltham Palace would be the perfect suitor in this fairlytale wedding.

17 November 2010

Myself, Kayleigh and Dan's parents meet at Eltham Palace. Kayleigh says, "Erika, you read my mind. I can't believe it. This is perfect!" Sarah from the Events team showed us around then we had a two hour meeting to discuss the suppliers that have come forward to offer their services. We haven't signed a contract with Eltham as of today because we need to work out the honeymoon to see if this fits with the overall budget. **All suppliers will be mentioned in an upcoming blog post.

Wedding Party

8 bridesmaids, 6 groomsman, 4 flowers girls and one pageboy.

Design Ideas

- Rose Pink and Ivory colour scheme

- Bride loves Peonies, Gerberas, stocks and delphiniums

- Kayleigh would love to add height to each banqueting table. She wants the vase stem filled with swarovski crystals and the bowl filled with impact flowers such as stocks and delphiniums but also some round feminine flowers like a rose.

Music

- A Rat Pack band will play during the canapes reception, followed by a DJ for after dinner dancing

Catering

- We're currently working on the catering but it looks like some canapes, a two course meal and a cheeseboard around 9:30pm.

Next big task to tackle: The Honeymoon.

The honeymoon is extremely important to Kayleigh and Dan as they want to spend good quality time together after the wedding.

More to come on Kayleigh and Dan.

Ask Our London Wedding Photographer

2010-11-18T23:40:00.000Z

Jemma Watts from Pearl Pictures has been shooting London weddings for over 10 years. With a contemporary style that will last a lifetime, Jemma's work has been featured in various magazines. She has a charming personality that will make sure you're at ease in front of the camera, and her albums are truly one of a kind. I asked Jemma a few questions about the photography industry in the UK and here's what she had to say:

Brides can spend anywhere from £400 to upward of £4,000 on their wedding photography depending on their budget and priorities. Price excluded, what should a couple look for in their photographer?

Couples should look for Personality and Professionalism, and of course the style of photography.

In my opinion, personality and the ability to connect with the couple is just as important as photographic talent. The images always reflect the feelings of the photographer on the day. Most couples don’t realise until the wedding day how much time they will be spending with their photographer, and a lot of this time can be quite intimate.

It is especially important to get on well with the bride. The bride needs to feel comfortable and the photographer more like a ‘friend’ than a supplier. When I walk into the room where the bride is getting ready, it is important that she feels like I am part of the party, we get on well and she can totally relax with me at this very nerve-racking stage of the day.

Together with the importance of personality comes the high level of professionalism. This comes in the form of how knowledgable the photographer is about shooting weddings and the service that they offer. Each couple must feel that they are the only photographer’s client. The majority of couples will not have commissioned a photographer before and will not know what to expect. The photographer’s job is to put them at ease, make them feel special, and guide them through the proceedure of the day’s photography. Of course, at the end of this, the photographer has to produce a wonderful set of images that will last for a lifetime of happy memories!

The couple should always ask how much experience the photographer has. With my years of experience I know more about the proceedure of the day than they do. Quite often I am helping them all as well as photographing – answering phones, doors, directing where to put the flowers, at what point the bridesmaids should get ready, where a button hole goes. Once I even had a groom call me and ask what he should say in his speech! I like to think that I offer a service that goes way beyond the duties of just photographing the day. Lovely

There are some exceptionally talented photographers who shoot weddings as a part-time job. What do you think of this?

Nearly all wedding photographers have started out as part-time. Many commercial photographers will shoot their friends’ weddings which lead them on by word of mouth to shoot more weddings. This is exactly how I started out. It was only after many years of shooting weddings part-time that I decided to start a business dedicated to this, in fact I run two businesses side by side now – Jemma Watts Photography for my commercial work and Pearl Pictures for the weddings. It means I am extremely busy but I get the best of both worlds!

One major difference between the full-time and part-time wedding photographer is the sevice and products that they are able to offer. The full-time wedding photographer will be emersed in the business, their marketing will be more prolific and influential, their knowledge of the wedding industry will be more in-depth. They will be up-to-date with all the lastest developments in products that they can offer. Above all they have more time to devote to the service they offer their couples.

For example, I offer a lot of ‘after care’ to my clients in the form of album design, meeting to discuss how they can best display their images, and getting all their prints sorted for them. I am also available round the clock to answer any questions leading up to their big day.

How far in advance does someone need to find their wedding photographer?

The sooner the better so that they can be assured the photographer is free on their date. There is always a hierachy in the order in which things are booked for the big day. I would say that photography is best booked once the venue has been sorted.

There are some dates in the year that are more popular than others, i.e. bank holidays, July, August and early September. These dates need to booked as soon as they are known.

What's your thought on a second photographer during the wedding day?

I always recommend using a second photographer once the number of guests exceeds 120. Any more guests than this and it gets difficult for one photographer to capture as many of them as possible throughout the reception.

It is always great to have a second photographer if the couple would like to have both of them photographed during the getting ready stage of the day and they are in separate locations.

I've noticed that a lot of photographers aren't offering an album with their package or service price anymore. Why is that?

One major issue, I feel, is that the quality of some of the albums offered within the price package are not of a good standard. An album must last a lifetime and longer, you want your grandchildren to be able to look through it, and for this you need to purchase a high quality product. Couples do not want one where the binding or quality of the cover disintergrates or fades with time. A good quality album is expensive, and therefore is an expense that should not be decided without much thought. I offer Queensberry albums which are the best on the market today.

An album is a very considered decision and there are a few different styles on the market these days – classic, photobook, contemporary etc. It may be hard for the couple to decide early on which style they would like. Sometimes it is better to wait until they have seen the photos, to see which style best suites the look of their wedding. I always offer albums which can be bought at any stage before or after the big day.

Also, it is quite common for albums to be given as wedding gifts. Many guests might want to use this instead for their album.

Is it important that the photographer who shoots the wedding do the post production and re-touches afterward?

In a word, yes. Each photographer has their own style and this can be shown in the final image after post production. Now that we are in the digital age, images always need to be adjusted to give them depth and contrast, otherwise they are very ‘flat’ looking. In the ‘old days’ this was determined by which film the photographer chose to shoot on. Each photographer would have their preference to film type depending on their style. Now we have to do this in post-production.

What's included in your packages/services?

I offer an online gallery where friends and family can purchase prints. I offer a preview book which displays all images from the day as thumbnails with reference numbers. This is very useful when choosing images for the albums or for enlarged prints. I offer six prints of the couple’s choice at an enlarged size of 9x6, and finally a CD with all images from the day as low resolution, good for viewing easily on screen and for email.

I offer a discount on the album if purchased at the time of booking and a lesser discount if booked within two months of the wedding.

I also offer a high resolution disc as an extra cost, or a reduced cost if ordered at the time of booking.

Excellent advice and information. Thank you Jemma!

Pictures by Jemma Watts of Pearl Pictures

Wedding Design- Wedding Tip 1

2010-11-16T17:40:00.000Z

Wedding Tip 1:

In my first series of wedding design tips I've decided to talk about decorating the bar. You can always tell if my team and I have helped plan a wedding by looking at the design of the bar. I always suggest that some sort of decoration go on each end of the bar so it doesn't look like an ordinary bar at an ordinary pub. Place large vases on each end and fill them with flowers or fruits that are in theme with the rest of the decor.

A Treat for the Ladies

2010-11-08T15:49:00.000Z

I came across these unique hats during an office clean out over the weekend. Kate Davison has been a Milliner for 11 years with a client base in the UK and internationally. These hats would be suitable for brides, mums, bridesmaids and guests with a vibrant and bold personality.

Sri Lankan Elephants meet Canadian Maple Leafs

2010-11-05T18:16:00.000Z

One of the best things about being a wedding coordinator in London is working with International couples and learning about their customs and traditions. One of our recent couple's flew in from Canada to get married at the Royal College of Greenwich in London. The bride had been living in Canada for the past few years but grew up in London so decided the best place for her nuptials would be in her home city.

The couple met in Cuba so they jazzed up the cocktail reception with a hot shot Cuban Band, Tony Danger, and continued with the Cuban theme by surprising the guests with a sexy Cuban dance for their first dance as husband and wife. The ceremony started with traditional Sri Lankan Buddhist steel drummers dancing down the aisle, followed by the groom, bridesmaids, father of the bride and bride. During the signing of the Registrar, the groom had the song Brown Eyed Girl playing on the speakers, but rather than playing the traditional vocals, "Brown Eyed Girl" he had dubbed it to sing, "Brown Eyed Amanda" which is the bride's first name. Guests were crying and laughing.

After the swanky Cuban cocktail reception, 190 guests made way to the dining room where they found a hand carved wooden elephant with a maple leaf tied to the foot. The elephant is a symbol of good luck in Sri Lanka, and the Maple Leaf is the national symbol in Canada. It was the first time I'd seen every single guest take their wedding favour home. The after party was moved to the undercroft where there was an open bar, a video booth and a 12 piece band all the way from Sri Lanka! The venue closed at midnight and many of the guests hopped on the Thames Clipper to take a midnight cruise down London's River Thames. It was a magical evening.

Photographer: Peter Darvin

Wedding Planning With Your Five Senses

2010-11-01T19:29:00.001Z

Our five senses are something we unconsciously use everyday. We smell, taste, hear, see and touch then quickly make judgments as to what we think about those interactions. During a big celebration such as a wedding, people will pay a bit more attention to these interactions which is why they should be taken into consideration during the planning process.

Smell: Choose a special scent for your wedding day whether it be in the form of flowers, candles or a room spritzer. When your guests walk into the reception they should smell something that is unique to you and your wedding.

Taste: Guests will always remember the food from a wedding. Have a tasting with your caterer and give special thought to any pre-dinner canapés and the starter course as these will set the tone for the rest of the meal.

Sound: Good music can make or break the life of a party. Spend a good amount of time putting together a playlist and communicate with your musician/DJ in the run up to the big day. Opt for a live band where possible but if your budget doesn’t stretch that far then there are some phenomenal DJs who are known to get all of the guests on the dancefloor.

Vision: Guests will be seated for a long time so put extra effort into the look of your banqueting tables by creating something that’s visually interesting to the eyes. Try having two to three different flowers on the table for a variety of floral textures, or use a mix of sharp and soft edged décor, or try mixing shapes and sizes of tables and chairs.

Touch: Use table linen that has a nice feel to it. Arms and elbows will be resting on the table and you want to give your guests a nice napkin to dab their chins with after the wedding cake. You’ll be surprised how many guests remember the small details!

Trials and Tastings

2010-10-24T19:07:00.003+01:00

We wanted to stress the importance of testing your vendors products or services before using them on the biggest day of your life. Today we'll talk about the food and beverage tastings and hair and make-up trials.

Always always always meet with your Caterer for a full tasting. Try everything you will serve your guests from the canapes to the dessert and wines. Guests will always remember the food from an event so you want to get this one right. At the tasting you want to check out the china, glassware, linen, cutlery, table accessories, and chairs so you can start to design the look of your tables and dining room. It's okay to play with your food and mix and match plates until you find something suitable to your style. Feel free to suggest mixing and matching different dishes as well. This is your wedding and you want it to be oh so scrumptious.

I suggest going for a hair and make-up trial approximately one month prior to the wedding day. Any earlier and a new style might show up on the runway and you'll have to pay your stylist for another trial. Any later risks time pressures and in some cases skin reactions to make-up products. Bring pictures, hair accessories and your veil to the trial.

Food pics: Create
Woman: Love My Dress Blog

Worldwide Weddings and Honeymoons

2010-10-20T11:13:00.000+01:00

I'm absolutely tickled that two of my wedding planning tips have landed in this month's Worldwide Weddings and Honeymoons Magazine. Find the tips in the "8 steps to an A-list style wedding" section of the magazine.

Wedding Planning Do's and Don'ts

2010-10-16T00:47:00.001+01:00

Happy Friday! Below are just a few of my favorite wedding planning do's and don'ts. For a complete list of do's and don'ts contact us for your free copy.

DO check if your vendors include VAT in their price. An extra 17.5% can be huge (20% in Jan 2011)

DON'T assume that your Minister, Registrar or Rabbi will be available on your wedding day just because your venue is available. Always check availability of both officiant and venue before booking.

DO ask your florist for a sample centrepiece for the tasting. Your vision and the florist could be totally different.

DON'T get upset if a detail is out of place on the wedding day. Guests will only see the end result and not the planning. They will think it was meant to be like that so go ahead and play along!

DO order extra thank you notes. It's better to pay a little bit more during during your first purchase than a large fee for a few more. People will send you gifts that didn't attend the wedding and you will naturally make mistakes when writing the thanks yous.

DON'T wear sticky lip-gloss if you're wearing a veil. The veil can get stuck to your lips and turn into a quick annoyance and sticky mess

Parisian CatWalk

2010-10-13T14:53:00.000+01:00

Check out these fashion forward gowns from the catwalks of Paris
Viktor and Rolf

EmersonMade Blooms

2010-10-07T12:12:00.001+01:00

We've come across these lovely hand-stiched and hand dyed flowers from EmersonMade a couple of times now and wanted to share the beauty of these blooms with you. Enjoy, lovlies

Erika Unbehaun in the Press

2010-10-07T00:29:00.003+01:00

I had an article written about me on the front page of the business section of The Wharf. The ins and outs of wedding planning, being a wedding planner in London, the unconventional couple and why I love the job. It's a great start to the Autumn Season...

Winners of Wedding Competition

2010-10-07T00:21:00.001+01:00

Just over a year ago we ran a Win Your Wedding Planner Competition in You and Your Wedding Magazine online. I lucked out with this competition and received a lovely couple, Leanne and Chris. They've been together for seven years and decided to get married on the day they met, which happened to be the same day that Chris proposed- a day with great significance.

Their flowers and decor represented 1920's British Colonial via the use of Palms, Ivy, Orchids and Wood. Vows were said in front of 80 of their closest family and friends at St. Mary's Church Shefford before heading to Elcot Park Hotel, Berkshire, for the reception. Guests were never without something to do or eat as they enjoyed waffle ice cream cones from a vintage ice cream trike provided by Cafe Bon Bon and played human Jenga in the sunshine.

After a three course meal and full hour of speeches (where both the mother and father thanked me in the speeches- had to blow the trumpet!), guests headed downstairs where they had the choice to go to a party room for dancing or to the lounge for chilling out (see picture below). Since the bride was a child she always talked about her grandparents dancing at her wedding. Her grandparents could not attend so the groom surprised her with a videoclip of her grandparents dancing. The video was projected on the wall during Leanne and Chris' first dance. It was romantic, emotional and wonderful to see. DJ Jason Dupuy had the crowd jumping up and down on the dance floor while Lost Vegas Casino had the blackjack and roulette table at full capacity all night.

Photographer: Giles Penfound

FlutterFly in the Press

2010-10-03T17:50:00.001+01:00

We're delighted to provide tips for the November/December 2010 issue of You and Your Wedding's 25 Fab Ways to Cut Catering Costs. Open up to page 57 and 58 for our fab tips.

New Yorkers in London

2010-10-02T22:31:00.003+01:00

Our stylish American clients, Whitney and Joe, flew in from New York City in early August to get married at St. Luke's Church Chelsea before heading over to the beautiful One Great George Street for the reception. Their main goal was to ensure their guests had a great time and that the food taste exquisite.

Blue Strawberry Catering served champagne directly after the ceremony, then over at the wedding reception, bars were fully stocked and open for guests to dive into. There was a rat pack band for the drinks reception and dinner, then the after party was kicked off with a 7-piece party band who managed to get every guest on the dancefloor! Guests enjoyed a late night buffet of fish and chips in a cone and mini hamburgers.

Thanks to one of my favourite wedding photographers in London, Lloyd Dobbie, for the wonderful photos and the talented wedding florist Euphoric Flowers for arranging just under 3,000 limes to go with the gorgeous centerpieces!

My Bride's in CosmoBride!

2010-09-28T11:19:00.004+01:00

Its been a great month of PR for FlutterFly Event's and even one of our gorgeous American bride's appeared in a bridal magazine. Cosmo Bride did a feature on pre and post wedding events and talked to our bride who is taking the opportunity to bring her guests together and celebrate before and after the big day. Why stop the party at midnight?

Wedding Music / Wedding Entertainment

2010-09-13T09:06:00.001+01:00

Music/Entertainment: Music is at the core of all weddings. Reception music comes in two formats: live performers and DJs. Formal weddings are more suited to live music such a string quartets, jazz bands or party bands whereas informal receptions are likely to have a party band or a DJ. Soloists work well with all types of weddings and having a pianist is always a special and romantic option. A string quartet may be an obvious choice for a wedding, but the beauty projected by this string quartet in London, Crystal Palace Quartet sends chills down my back.

Providing entertainment is another subject. There are hundreds of ways to provide wedding entertainment and phenomenal entertainers to provide it. You can book that magician you've been trying to figure out since you were seven, you can have can-can dancers or cigar rollers. The entertainment should reflect the personality of the couple and should be something unique and memorable for your guests.

Photo Credit: DC Theater Scene

Wedding Caterers

2010-09-06T10:25:00.002+01:00

One of the most important decisions of your planning process will be choosing your wedding caterer then selecting which food to serve your guests. Guests will always remember the food served at an event, hopefully for the right reason! Choose carefully and keep in close contact with your caterer. Always taste test the food and play around with the china, glassware and linen. Some venues have in house catering and do not permit outside caterers- or require additional fees for use of outside catering.

To save on catering fees, cut out the dessert course and serve wedding cake instead. This is also a great way to get your guests to enjoy a slice of the wedding cake. After a three course meal with dessert, many guests pass on the wedding cake and that beautiful cake goes to waste. Always serve local and seasonal food and remember to ask your vendors about wedding day meal requirements.

Comes closer to the wedding day, you'll want to speak to your caterer about waiting service, napkin folds, alcoholic beverages to be served, restrictions on open bars, leaving wine on the table vs. staff topping up, and of course furnishing them with a final headcount and dietary restrictions.

All pictures are from London wedding caterer, Create.

London Concierge Service - Bon Vivant

2010-08-26T09:19:00.000+01:00

We caught up with luxury lifestyle management and concierge service, Bon Vivant, the other week and can't resist telling you about their service. They're similar to wedding planners in that they help their clients save valuable time and stress. This concierge service isn't just for the wealthy, but a necessity for those who want to enjoy London's luxuries, indulge in exclusive treatments, gain a wealth of knowledge about the city, and be the first to hear about new restaurant and club openings.

Bon Vivant said that the free time we have should be spent with those we care about and doing the things we love. After this I realised that much of my free time is spent on the internet researching fun things to do over the weekend- good restaurants, exclusives spas, exhibitions, etc. At Bon Vivant, you will work with one consultant the entire time so he/she will understand your personality, requirements and tastes. All members have access to benefits, upgrades, VIP tickets and more.

Visit: http://www.bonvivant.co.uk or email them at info@bonvivant.co.uk for further information.

Diamond and Gold Stiletto

2010-08-23T10:37:00.002+01:00

Get ready ladies for the first ever diamond and gold stilettos made exclusively by British designer Christopher Michael Shellis for the House of Borgezie. Each pair is adorned with over 2,000 diamonds totalling 30 carats!! They go for £100,000 and have a 1,000 year guarantee. Talk about treating your feet...

Event Lighting

2010-08-18T15:57:00.001+01:00

Lighting: Lighting is the true mood setter for any event. A well thought out lighting plan can re-create the room and change the entire ambiance. You have many lighting choices when it comes to lighting up your venue so it's best to work with a lighting professional as they'll have the expertise and technical know-how. Event lighting can take you back into time, it can take you into the future, it can create any type of atmosphere you may wish to achieve. You may wish to have your guests enter the venue through a tunnel of fairy lights leading to the grand ballroom or you may wish to have amber lit walls for a magical evening. Your dance floor can have gobo light reading, "Congratulations Emily and Sam" or your gobo may have your favourite floral pattern or a snowflake for a winter wedding. Lighting options are endless, but it's one area that's often overlooked.

Credits: Cny Lighting
Contemporary Bride

Trend: Trumpet Silhouette

2010-08-15T20:58:00.000+01:00

The Trumpet Silhouette (aka the Mermaid) has hit runways across the world in 2010. This is a great silhouette to wear if you want to show off your sexy curves.

Photo Credits:
Ines di Santo
Oscar de la Renta
Rivini
via MS Weddings

Escort Cards vs Place Cards

2010-08-11T11:10:00.002+01:00

Seating Plan: It's a good idea to have a seating plan at your wedding- especially if your guest list is over 30. Many couples stress about the seating plan as they're afraid they might upset family and friends. As long as everyone gets a seat, no real disasters are likely to occur. The seating plan should be finalised when you submit final numbers to your caterer however, the reality is that seating plans will not be completely finalised until the actual wedding day. Guests fall ill, unexpected guests show and Uncle Joe insists on sitting at table 8.

Now the difference between Escort Cards and Place Cards? Escort cards assign your guests to a table where they can then choose their own seat. Place cards assign guests to a table and a seat at that table. With escort cards there's more freedom to make changes to the seating plan at last minute which beats having to cross off names on big poster boards. For the crafty bride, visit Fred Aldous for a wide range of art, craft and design materials to create escort / place cards with a heart warming touch. Martha Stewart Weddings has a range of unique and fun ideas for escort cards which is where I found these gorgeous lavender clusters you can create for a fun way to scent your room and escort your guests to their seats.

Avoid Wedding Week Stress

2010-08-06T11:19:00.000+01:00

6 unique ways to avoid stress in the run up to your wedding day:

1. Allow plenty of time to plan the wedding. Planning your wedding is fun! We suggest at least six months. The more time you have, the more you can research your wedding vendors and play around with wedding colours and design ideas.

2. Maintain a good relationship with the event co-ordinator at the reception venue and keep them "in the loop". The more you communicate with this person and update them with your ideas on the venue layout, the equipment your bringing in, etc., the less you will have to cram in the week of your wedding. Have a meeting every couple of months to go over details.

3. Two months in advance of the wedding, write a list of what you need to bring on your honeymoon. Packing at the last minute is extremely stressful and often results in items being left behind. It will only take 30-60 minutes and you can leave the list in your wedding file or your suitcase so it's a breeze when it comes time to pack. Don't forget sunscreen, camera and medicine.

4. If you're purchasing gifts for your parents and attendants, do this two to three months in advance. I know this doesn't sound like a big stress reliever but it is! Shopping for someone can take an entire day and in the run up to the wedding, brides and grooms are pushed for time with deadlines of table plans and dietary requirements.

5. If you're doing welcome bags for your guests, give yourself plenty of time to write the welcome/thank you letter. Last minute tasks lead to stress. Try doing this three or four months before the wedding to make it extra juicy and fun for your guests. This will also keep them occupied while your being pampered before the big day!

6. Create a detailed transportation sheet a month before. Multiple transportation companies may be involved in a single wedding so type out who is leaving at what time, the company's name and contact information, their collection and drop off points and addresses. Make sure you communicate this to the transport companies a couple of times.

Coloured Wedding Shoes

2010-07-31T17:36:00.001+01:00

One of my favourite trends is the bold coloured wedding shoe. The bride shows her personality, she gets to have fun with matching accessories and they make excellent photos.

Credits: Green Wedding Shoes
             Martha Stewart Weddings
             Savannah Wedding Planner
             Wedding by colour

Contingency Plans

2010-07-26T17:31:00.000+01:00

My apartment building has seen six leaks in the last two months and it was only a matter of time before a leak reached my flat. Last week the tradesmen came knocking on my door to announce that there is a leak underneath our floor and that it severly damaged the people below us. The floorboards need to be striped and cement dug up immediately. My life has been turned upside down and I have had to arrange many "Plan B's" in case it's not finished by August 1st when it's a busy time for FlutterFly Events. I immediately started thinking about contingency plans for the running of the business.

We're compiling welcome bags for a client this week and a few large boxes are being delivered to the flat. Where are we going to store them if we don't have a floor? We can always ask the Jones' next door to look after them for a few days, but we can do better than that... And what about printing the wedding day materials if we have to suddenly move and the printer is in a box? Solution: Make sure the information is 100% correct then print it now. See where I'm going with this? Think about everything you can, then come up with a plan.

So I wanted to write to you brides and grooms about contingency plans and the importance of them. You never know what might creep up on the wedding day and you should always have a back up so your guests won't even notice the glitch in the plan. The most obvious back up plan is for unwanted weather. If you're planning an outdoor wedding, you will need to allocate an indoor venue you can retreat to.

You should also think about the following:
1. Elderly or disabled accessing the venue
2. Guests falling ill (have local hospital numbers in your contact book)
3. Invaders (have local police number in your contact book)
4. Plan B Vendor Contacts- Compile a list of vendors local to your venue (not the ones you hired!) that you can call in case of a no show from your original vendor. For example, you can put Patisserie Valerie as your cake vendor since they're likely to have pre made cakes ready for you to take away.
5. Extra chairs around the banqueting tables for those who didn't RSVP
6. If you're hiring equipment, always order a few extra than your final number. Sashes, chair covers, glassware, china, etc.
7. Bring an i-pod with a playlist for both the ceremony and reception
8. If you're reception is in a different location, print out directions and have your ushers hand them out to guests after the ceremony
9. Road closures to the venues. Check for traffic reports
10. Anything else related to your wedding

Check out our previous post on Wedding Day Emergency Kit to sort out "Plan B's" for the bride, groom and guests' needs.

Expert Advice- Historic Venues

2010-07-19T15:34:00.002+01:00

Britain is known for its abundance of historic venues. Couples fly in from all over the world to get married in these beautiful venues that they once saw in a film or that they've been dreaming about since they were little. Planning your wedding in a historic venue is very different to planning a wedding in a modern venue or hotel. We brought in an expert to talk to you about finding the perfect historic venue.
Our expert, Pamela Wallin, is the owner of a dynamic and vibrant online wedding planning site called Weddings In Surrey. The site is built around couples getting married in Surrey, but it's also useful for brides and grooms seeking wedding planning tips ad professional wedding vendors in the UK. There's a chat forum, blog, planning tools for download, and lots of useful articles. Since Pamela is in a prime location for historic venues, we asked for her expertise on finding the perfect historic venue and what to look for when touring the venue. Over to you Pamela!

What steps should I take to find my perfect historic venue?
Lots of little girls will dream about their wedding that takes place in a fairytale castle or stately home, imagining their arrival in a horse and carriage, or vintage car with a red carpet waiting. Here's how to make that dream come true to find your perfect wedding venue. The first five steps are the most crucial, and will be the foundation for all your wedding plans.

1. List your top three priorities- what you will not compromise on
2. Decided on where you want to get married. Do you want a local venue or are you prepared to travel to get your perfect historic venue?
3. Set a date, making sure that this does not clash with important family events or sporting events
4. Set your wedding budget and add a 10% contingency fund
5. Make a rough guest list

You now have prioritised your location, date, budget and number of guests to start the search for that perfect venue! The internet is a great source of wedding information, particularly for a wedding venue. Here are a couple of really good nationwide sites that specialise in historic locations.
   1. Hudson Weddings
   2. English-Heritage
   3. Country House Weddings- specialist or local wedding directories
   4. Weddings in Surrey- specialist or local wedding directories

To help create a shortlist, consider the following points:
1. Venue capacity
2. Guest accommodation at venue or nearby
3. Photograph opportunities
4. Ease of access (particularly elderly)
5. Catering

What are the pros and cons of holding my wedding in a historic venue?
All historic and heritage venues will have some guidelines of what is and what isn't acceptable. After all these properties have survived several wars, hundreds of years and are national treasures. Most historic buildings ban confetti and candles, however, they usually find dried flower petals acceptable outside, so there are ways around some of the restrictions. Hopefully the pros will outweigh the cons! If they don't, then do think about how much stress too many stipulations and rules may cause

Pros
Beautiful scenery
Romantic, fairytale
Licensed for marriages
Masses of photographic opportunities
High ceilings
Interiors need little in the way of decoration

Cons
No flame candles (battery operated can be used)
No paper confetti (you may be able to use dried flowers)
No stilettos (ruining those historic floors)
Remote location
Expensive venue hire costs
No accommodation
Little or no disabled facilities (lifts, washrooms, bedrooms)
No live or loud music

Any wedding planning tips for an event at a historic venue?
Castles make me think of medieval banquets of Camelot and thrones for the King and Queen (bride and groom in this case). If candles are allowed, a candlelit ceremony must be the ultimate in romantic settings.

Historic venues need little decoration inside as they have high ceilings, ornate furnishing and chandeliers creating a perfect backdrop. This means more of the budget can be spent on decorating tables and the outside space. Consider patterned table runners (tartan) for a castle, big vases full of statement designed flowers or candy as centrepieces. Using coloured plates and glasses create a wow effect. Historic venues are often set in beautiful landscapes. Make the most of drives by creating a lantern lit path, adorn nearby trees with fairy lights or bunting.

Theme the wedding with the seasons. If it's a Christmas wedding, roaring log fires, mistletoe with a winter wonderland theme is magical. English country weddings are brilliant in the summer with an abundance of blown roses and croquet on the lawn. Harvest time in Autumn conjures up images of yellow, red and orange themes. Get the picture?

If the venue already has a historic theme (eg Goodwood), find out a little about the history and create your theme around that. Try to make it as authentic and accurate as possible. Have your guests play the part by dressing the character. Research the bridal dress of that day- 1920s vintage is very in-vogue.

Weddings in Surrey is a fabulous wedding directory and planning guide for couples in and around Surrey. You'll no longer have to spend hours sifting through mountains of information to find what you want, Weddings in Surrey will do it for you using their informative website! It has everything you need to plan your perfect day.

Wedding Day Emergency Kit

2010-07-16T12:18:00.001+01:00

You plan, plan, plan for the best day of your life and keep your fingers crossed that nothing will go wrong. Continue to keep your fingers crossed but also come up with a "Plan B" in case things don't go according to plan. You should have a Plan B for all aspects of the wedding day but today I'm going to talk about the itsy bitsy details that are often overlooked. These small details are compiled in a single bag in which industry professionals call the "wedding day emergency kit".

Your wedding planner will have an emergency kit on them throughout the entire wedding, but if you've planned the wedding yourself then look at the below and have your attendants or parents bring these to the ceremony and reception:
*in random order*

Snacks for the bridal party
Paracetamol
Lighters/matches
Chewable Vitamin C (helps reduce stress)
band-aids/plasters
Antiseptic cream
White chalk (to cover up stains on the bride's dress)
Clear nail polish
Nail file
Nylons in different sizes
Black socks for men
Extension chord
Tampons
Eye drops
Double sided tape
safety pins
Sewing kit
Duck tape
Deoderant
Hair spray
Bobby pins
Hair ties
Men's Hair Gel
Hair brush
Ribbon
Mints
Tissues
Scissors
Sticky Tac
Lipstick
Powder
Eyeliner
Sunscreen if outdoors
Vendor contacts and back up contacts

What's in your wedding day emergency kit? We'd love to hear from you!

What To Ask Your Reception Venue

2010-07-13T23:04:00.000+01:00

Reception Venue
The reception venue sets the mood for your wedding celebration. As with your wedding gown, you will know within moments of setting foot in the venue if it sets the perfect backdrop for your event. Choosing your venue is one of the most stressful wedding tasks, but it is oh so fun! When sourcing a venue, you get to learn more about the area you'll be getting married in as you move around from venue to venue looking at all the beautiful space that the town has to offer.

What to look for
As you explore each of your short listed venues, look around and absorb all the detail and creativity that has gone into the venue. You'll be distracted by its beauty (and want to run away from a few!) so make sure you pay close attention to the details that could potentially have an impact on your event. Details such as natural light, carpet colour and patterns, draping, furniture, paintings, pillars, etc.

After you see all the rooms in the venue, sit down with the person who showed you around (often the event manager) to go over any questions you may have. What you ask may depend on how interested you are in the venue but important things to discuss are:
1. Venue capacities. Ask what numbers fit comfortably in each room because the capacities they provide you can be very uncomfortable if squeezed to full capacity
2. Hire period
3. Music restrictions
4. On-site parking or near by car park
5. Can we bring our own suppliers or is there a preferred supplier list
6. Food and beverage restrictions
7. Candle restrictions
8. Handicap accessible
9. Are banqueting tables, chairs, linens, china and glassware included in the hire fee

Once you find a venue you love, ask for an itemized list of what is included in the fee, and don't forget to check out the restrooms! Have fun and enjoy your site visits, every space is truly unique.

Pre-Wedding Events: Rehearsal Dinner

2010-07-02T17:16:00.000+01:00

The traditional rehearsal dinner is one of the best parts of American weddings and quickly becoming a fascination with British weddings.

To throw a fabulous rehearsal dinner, all you need is your closest family and friends and some food and beverage. The event can take place at your favourite restaurant, your home, your parents home or a fancy hotel. There are no set rules and the rehearsal dinner should take place in a location that reflects you and your new spouse to be, and should also make you feel comfortable and relaxed for the next day's big event.

It's best to hold the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding since most of your guests will be in town by this time. Unlike the Engagement Party where you want the tone and theme of the event to be complete opposite from your upcoming wedding, the rehearsal dinner should start the wedding celebrations and kick start the wedding theme. Give your guests a little sneak preview but don't let this event outshine your wedding reception.

The groom's family are the traditional hosts but this can prove challenging if they don't live in the same location where the wedding will take place. However, it can be a great opportunity for them to liaise and communicate with the bride's family (assuming the wedding is taking place near the bride's home). If the groom's family chooses not to host the rehearsal dinner, then the bride's parents are a natural choice or even the couple can host.

Who should you invite? You should invite your officiant, all members of the wedding party, parents and siblings of both the bride and groom. I also think it's a good gesture to invite out of town guests who flew in just for your wedding. If your having a destination wedding then all guests should be invited.

We're big fans of the rehearsal dinner over here at FlutterFly Events so let us know if you have any questions!

Charity Event - Save The Children

2010-06-29T20:54:00.001+01:00

Earlier this week I was invited to give a presentation on personalizing your wedding and wedding trends to help save children. The Charity was Save The Children and they wanted an expert in the field to come in so they could get an idea on how to help the children and their families personalize an event.

To make a wedding unique and memorable, the engaged couple needs to look at what reflects them as a couple. What is the personality of the couple? What do they enjoying doing together? What are their hobbies? What music do they enjoy listening to? They can then take one of these hobbies and incorporate it into the wedding. For example, a couple that loves Frank Sinatra can have a rat pack band for a cocktail reception then name a couple of cocktails after his leading songs OR a couple who loves wine can provide wine tasting as entertainment then decorate the tables with bundles of grapes. The options are endless as long as you have time to do some brainstorming and get creative.

A few wedding trends this season:
Different shapes and sizes of tables during dinner (rounds, rectangles, squares)
Photo booths
Dessert buffets
Coloured shoes for the bride
Birdcage veils
Fruit as centerpieces
Guests' name written on top of menu instead of a place card
White and Green
Blue

If you'd like to discuss this in further detail please contact us or call us to discuss speaking at your event.

Stunning Millinery

2010-06-23T20:20:00.002+01:00

Rachel Trevor-Morgan creates some of the most fabulous hats and headpieces known to man. Rachel is based in St. James's, London, and works with bridal designers such as Bruce Oldfield and Stewart Parvin.

Hat Couture

Headpieces

Bridal Couture

Life of a Wedding Planner IV

2010-06-15T11:43:00.005+01:00

It's been a while since I blogged about my life as an American wedding planner in London so I thought I'd take you through my diary over the past week. Since many of my readers are also my students from the QC Wedding and Event Planning School, you may find this post interesting!

7 June: Consultation with potential client. We met at the Royal Naval College in Greenwich where the wedding is already booked. The bride and groom to be took me through their wedding day then we sat down and discussed how we see ourselves working together. The bride is Sri Lankan and the groom is Canadian- they're planning a fun and eclectic wedding!

8 June: Client work from 9am-2pm, meeting with photographer from 3:30-4:30pm then PR in the evening

9 June: Haircut in the morning (everyones doing it!), marketing from 12:30-3:00pm, client work from 3:00pm-10:45pm

10 June: Full day in the office. I always schedule at least one of these a week. Client work, accounts and marketing (twitter, linked-in, facebook and blogging). In the evening I went to a luxury pamper party and had my nails done, eyebrows waxed, fragrance analyzed and make-up done! Ahhhhhh

11 June: Networking event from 10:00am-3:00pm then I met a fellow member of the UKAWP at the lovely One Great George Street where one of my clients is getting married this August. Stephanie and I went through the wedding step to step, forwards and backwards, minute by minute to make sure everything has been covered. We counted stairs to see how many hurricane vases we need, we closed the mens toilets while we roamed around finding the perfect spot for a floral arrangement and we took in the beauty of the venue.

12 June: Naturally, I watched the England vs America soccer game! I'm so proud of the Americans. Even though it was a draw they played well against England who is in Tier 1.

13 June: I traveled up to Berkshire to meet a bubbly couple who are getting married in August. We met with the bride, groom, mother of the bride, father of the bride, venue manager and event assistant to go over all the wedding details. I'm extremely excited for this wedding. The theme is British Colonial with focus on Hong Kong in the 1920s-1930s!

14 June: And back to Monday. This was my one day in the office for this week and yes, I accomplished a lot! I went through details for pre and post wedding events and booked an appointment with a prospective client.

With Love,
Erika xoxo

Engagement Parties

2010-06-10T21:59:00.001+01:00

Engagement Parties
You're engaged! You should shout it out to the world and what better way than with a stylish engagement party? This is your first chance to celebrate your decision to be together for the rest of your lives and it's also the perfect chance for families and friends of the couple to get to know each other better. Gifts are not typically given at these parties but many close friends and family give a gift to the engaged couple.

Style
There are no set rules for your engagement party as long as the celebration focuses on your love and happiness. It can be intimate, formal, big or themed as long as you have fun and it doesn't compete with your wedding!! Repeat: the engagement party must not compete with your wedding! If you want a formal, 3-course meal and an all white colour scheme for your wedding, then go for a cocktail and canape party with vibrant colours for the engagement party.

Where
From your favourite restaurant to a beautiful gallery to the comfort your parent's home, an engagement party can be held anywhere where you will feel comfortable with the gathering of your family and friends. For a downtown Manhattan feel in London, head to Plateau Restaurant in Canary Wharf for beautiful views of London's skyscrapers.

Who's Invited
Everyone invited to the party must be invited to the wedding. The guest list is up to you but do keep this rule in mind. Invitations should go out two to four weeks in advance.

Host
Close family and friends are most likely to play host for the engagement party, but it's not uncommon for the couple to throw the party themselves. Some couples even have two engagement parties if their families live in different cities.

Photography by StephanieAnnPhotography
found via StyleMePretty

Ines de Santo Wedding Gowns

2010-06-08T15:41:00.000+01:00

Internationally known for creating luxurious wedding gowns, check out Ines di Santo's Spring 2011 collection for the stylish bride.

Images found on Martha Stewart Weddings

Wedding Cake Tips

2010-05-31T22:10:00.003+01:00

Fact: tasting wedding cakes and choosing which cake to order is often the groom's favourite part of the wedding planning process!

Ordering a cake may seem relatively simple: Choose a flavour or two that you love, pick a design that matches your wedding theme, and make sure there are enough tiers to feed all of your guests. This is only the beginning to finding the perfect cake. See some of my wedding cake tips below:

Wedding Cake Tips:
1) If you're having a hard time choosing a flavour, have your main meal help guide you. Chicken is better with lighter fillings such as fruit cakes and vanilla, while beef pairs well with chocolate. An Asian feast will work well with a ginger cake and an Italian dish with a hazelnut cake.

2) Ask your supplier about hiring a cake stand. They usually have beautiful stands for a good hiring price. If you don't want to pay for a stand, ask your venue if they have a cake stand and knife you can use (just make sure the dimensions work with your chosen cake)

3) Plan the location of your cake and the cake cutting ceremony with meticulous detail. Will all of your guests be able to see you? Is there a large window or mirror in the background that might get in the way of great photograph opportunities? Is the cake going to be in direct sunlight? If so, move it or consider using a stiffer icing such a fondant.

4) Plan for the cake to be set against a beautiful backdrop.

5) If you're having a marquee wedding, the ground isn't always flat. Ask a bridesmaid to pack some cut up cardboard in her bag so she can fix an uneven table so the cake won't topple over. In real emergencies, ask the catering team for a wine cork and adjust it accordingly.

Stylish Bridal Jewellery

2010-05-26T17:33:00.000+01:00

These fabulous jewellery pieces are a must for a stylish bride. If this style doesn't fit with your wedding gown, then think about all those other pre-wedding events you've got lined up. Engagement parties, bridal showers, bridesmaids luncheon. Treat yourselves ladies!

All jewelry by Miriam Haskell

Spring Wedding Colours

2010-05-18T20:35:00.009+01:00

Spring is in the air! The flowers are blooming, the temperatures are rising and the rush of wedding season has started. When I think of spring colours I think pastels and anything with a "light" in front of it (light blue, light green, light pink).

Check out these spring design boards found on Martha Stewart Weddings and Perfect Palette to see if anything inspires you:

PEACH

YELLOW

LIGHT PINK

LIGHT GREEN

FUCHSIA

YELLOW & PINK

LIGHT BLUE

PINK & GREEN

Sex and the City Style

2010-05-16T12:40:00.001+01:00

You'll probably be seeing similar Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte pictures over blogs across the world in the next few weeks but I just had to make a blog post about Sex and the City the Movie 2. I'm a HUGE Sex and the City fan and still go to bed every night watching one of the episodes from series 1-6! Check out these pictures from their second movie.

Creative Ceremony Aisles

2010-05-11T09:22:00.008+01:00

The ceremony aisle is the first place the groom will see his bride in her gown, and it's the first place they will be photographed walking hand in hand as Mr and Mrs.

Check out these creative ceremony aisles and let us know what you decide to do.

Sources: Yvette Roman via Inside Weddings

               Martha Stewart
               Source

               Elizabeth Messina via Inside Weddings
   Mary Jane via JL Designs
               Mindy Weiss Blog

Engagement Rings

2010-05-02T19:39:00.002+01:00

One of the best aspects of being a wedding planner is getting to look at beautiful pictures and objects all day long! Reading magazines and blogs is part of my research and is essential in order to keep up in this fast-paced industry. It's not glitz and glam as many may think. Wedding planners work very long hours every day of the week and we must be able to advise in all areas of planning. Today I'd like to look at engagement rings.

More men are popping the question without a ring. Why? First, they don't want his partner to break down in tears because she doesn't like the ring; and second, they want her to choose something that they know she'll be happy with.

When evaluating the quality a diamond in your engagement ring, keep in mind the four C's:
Clarity- the number of imperfections in and on the stone.
Color- the color must be observed under a while light and is graded from D-Z with D being ideal and Z being the poorest rating. A less expensive diamond will have a cloudy or yellowish appearance. Coloured diamonds (Citrine, Amethyst, etc) also known as "Fancies" have become popular and are not flaws, but a rare characteristic.
Cut- the shape of the diamond. A well cut diamond will reflect light, maximizing its sparkle
Carat- the weight of a diamond- refers to the size. One-carat is equal to 200 milligrams of 1/142 of an ounce. This can be misleading though...a two-carat yellow tinted, low clarity diamond will be less expensive than a quarter carat colorless, high clarity diamond.

Always ask for a certificate to ensure the diamond is certified. There are many scams out there so make sure you are purchasing from a trustworthy jeweler.

Pictures from A.Jaffe, Kirstie Kelly for Disney and J.Birnbach

Bracelets for your Engagement Party

2010-05-02T11:26:00.003+01:00

Finding something to wear for your engagement party is almost (not quite) but almost as much fun as finding an outfit for your wedding! Meaning, that you'll want to look fabulous. Check out these unique and inspirational bracelets by Ben-Amun by Isaac Manevitz.

DIY Paper Flowers

2010-04-25T23:56:00.000+01:00

Paper Flower How-To
1) Cut 5 hearts with a heart shaped hole punch using your favourite wrapping paper
2) Interlock the hearts at the dip in the heart
3) Glue a 1/2" circle to the back of the flower using the same wrapping paper (it's okay to cut the circle yourself, without a hole punch)
4) Poke a floral wire through another circle, bending it to create and L-shape
5) Glue the two circles together, sandwiching the wire.
6) Use different wrapping paper to create visual interest then place your flower in a vase for eternal use

Wedding Stationery Etiquette

2010-04-13T17:33:00.006+01:00

Are you stuck on how to word your wedding stationery? Or afraid people will judge you for having incorrect etiquette? Truth is, every couple will be wording their stationery a bit different than their best friend because wording is based around the person paying for the wedding. This person is referred to as the "host". Traditionally the hosts were the bride's parents but in modern days it can be the couple themselves, both the bride's and groom's parents, the bride's father and the bride's step mother, or any anyone else. Below are some of the most commonly used wedding invitation examples:

Bride's parents as host
Mr and Mrs James Smith
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Chloe
to
Mr Joseph Stanford
at St. Marys, London
on 25th May 2012
at 2 o'clock
and afterwards at
The Wallace Collection

Both sets of parents hosting
Together with their families
Chloe Smith
and
Joseph Stanford
request the pleasure of your company
at their marriage
at St. Marys, London
on 25th May 2012
at 2 o'clock
and afterwards at
The Wallace Collection

Bride and groom hosting
Chloe Smith
and
Joseph Stanford
request the pleasure of your company
at their marriage
at St. Marys, London
on 25th May 2012
at 2 o'clock
and afterwards at
The Wallace Collection

Bride's parents divorced, both acting as host
Mrs Jane Birdsell
Mr James Smith
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Chloe
to
Mr Joseph Stanford
at St. Marys, London
on 25th May 2012
at 2 o'clock
and afterwards at
The Wallace Collection

Let us know if you have any etiquette questions or concerns!

Jennifer Behr Hair Accessories

2010-04-11T19:59:00.000+01:00

Show off your feminine side with one of Jennifer Behr's beautiful headbands.

Modern Wedding Flower Arrangements

2010-04-06T15:50:00.001+01:00

More and more brides are aspiring for a modern wedding look versus the classic look. One way to accomplish this is via your wedding flowers. From funky vases, coloured vases, tight arrangements and slim arrangements, get some inspiration for your modern wedding with the below pictures.

Pictures complements of In The Pink and Robbie Honey

Vintage Wedding Inspiration Board

2010-03-21T18:41:00.003Z

From style me pretty, this vintage wedding photo shoot was taken to provide all you vintage fanatics with some fun and trendy wedding inspiration. We love the retro coke bottles!

Wedding Insurance- top claims

2010-03-13T19:27:00.000Z

According to research done by insurance company, Ecclesiastical, the top five claims for wedding insurance are:

1. Damage to the wedding dress, jewellery, or outfits
2. Cancellation
3. Problems with venue
4. Problems with suppliers, such as caterers and cars
5. Damage to photographs

Purchasing wedding insurance is very important and something you'll want to do early in the planning process. It's not pleasant to think about the possibility of something going wrong on the biggest day of your life but you do want to know that you'll be covered in worst-case scenarios. Weather is unpredictable, transportation might not show up, businesses may go bust, wedding outfits are expensive, etc.

Ecclesiastical offer policies from £30 which includes:
-Up to £50,000 cancellation cover
-Public liability cover up to £5 million covering you and invited guests
-Generous cover for rings, cake, flowers, stationery, gifts, photographs, videos, transport, and failure of suppliers
-Marquee cover
-Cover for weddings anywhere in the world, even in the USA and Canada

Wedding Hair and Make-Up

2010-03-05T13:59:00.001Z

Hey brides! Happy Friday! Upload your photo here to find a wedding day hairstyle and make-up application that suits your skin tone, style and personality.

Napkin Folds

2010-03-04T17:51:00.001Z

What a chic napkin roll! Found on Marta Stewart Weddings, we are thrilled to show you the folds of this stylish napkin.

How to:

1. Lay the napkin on a flat surface and fold it into thirds. Fold it in half the other way then make a crease with your hand. Open that fold then roll one end of the napkin to the halfway crease

2. Repeat the fold and roll with the other end.

3. Adorn the napkin with a beautiful flower head and/or placecard

Wedding Planners Conference- News and Tips

2010-02-22T20:19:00.002Z

What happens when you have a bunch of wedding planners sitting around banqueting tables listening to some of the industry's top suppliers speak about wedding trends and ideas?

The Wedding Planners Annual Conference!

In February 2010, FlutterFly Events attended the annual conference at the gorgeous Grove Hotel to network with new planners and suppliers, take notes on industry news and trends, and check out the beautiful grounds within and around the Grove. Our notebook is now open for you to read through:

New Wedding Venues
No. 4 Hamilton Place
Paramount
Somerset House
RIBA
SAVOY

Photography
The uber talented, Keith Appleby, gave a great talk about the difference between a level 1, level 2 and level 3 photographer, level 3 being the best. When looking through a photographers photo album, always look at the lighting. Second, during the formal shots are people looking at the camera? If they're not this means they aren't connecting with the photographer which is extremely important during formals. Types of photography:
1) Traditional - staged photography. Formal shots
2) Contemporary - fashionable, flirty and fun. This is more like a fashion shoot and may take a while to find the perfect location then design the perfect shoot. Example: The bride sitting on a statue
3) Reportage/ Documentary- photojournalistic. The couple will hardly know the photographer is there, the photographers is just there in the background taking shots capturing great moments as they happen.

Wedding Make-Up
The lovely Sarah Jagger gave us a fantastic presentation on three different types of brides she's encountered during her years as a make-up artist.
Natural Bride: She dresses with simple lines, her fiance loves her without make up, but a make-up artist is a must on her wedding day. She doesn't want long lashes or rosy cheeks. Think Jennifer Aniston
Romantic Bride: She wants to be pretty and sexy in pastels and light colours. She likes her hair soft, relaxed and wavy
Glamorous Bride: This bride wants to look expensive and made-up. She likes designer dresses and strong lipstick. Her colours are hot pinks, plums and reds. Cheryl Cole
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FlutterFly Events in You and Your Wedding

2010-02-17T15:19:00.002Z

We're excited to find some of our wedding planning tips featured in this month's You and Your Wedding magazine. Check out pages 257 and 259 for faking your cake and unnecessary transportation fees.

Life of a Wedding Planner

2010-02-09T19:14:00.003Z

Life of a wedding planner in London part III

It's a busy time of the year for wedding planners around the globe. Many couples got engaged over the holiday season, and a lucky few may find a diamond ring embedded in a red rose this weekend in celebration of Valentine's Day. To help the thousands of brides and grooms getting married this year, the largest wedding fairs and venues have decided to open their doors to celebrate the engagement of the couple and help point them in the right direction of planning an extraordinary wedding. I'll be exhibiting for 3 full days this month and the planning, preparation and time involved in setting up a single table is an event in its own.

Upcoming Events

Designer Wedding Show: 12-14 February- Battersea park

National Wedding Show: 19-21 February - Kensington Olympia
*Exhibiting on the 19th and 21st

Eltham Palace Bridal Open Day: 20th February - Eltham Palace
* Exhibiting on the 20th

Gorgeous Tea Bags

2010-01-30T23:30:00.001Z

I was at the spa last week getting a back massage when I spotted them. The receptionist brought me a bowl of strawberries and a hot ginger tea with the most gorgeous tea bag. Shaped like a pyramid and infused with high quality tea, this tea bag would make the perfect escort card or placecard because of their unique shape. If you decided to serve the tea after dinner, this is one of those details that guests will remember for years and years to come. The way food and drink are presented is such an important factor in the wedding day so adding a sophisticated, gourmet tea bag to the big day will make you and your guests smile.

Sealed with a Kiss

2010-01-26T19:00:00.001Z

Happy Tuesday everyone! I had to share this fabulous kiss stamp with you. Personalise your wedding and seal it with a kiss.

Vintage Boudoir - Kat Williams and Julia Boggio

2010-01-21T17:30:00.003Z

One of the UK's top bloggers let me into her bedroom last week.

And who was there with her? It was the uber talented Julia Boggio from Julia Boggio Photography.

And what were they doing?

A vintage boudoir photo shoot! Kat Williams from Rock n' Roll Bride was modelling Julia Boggio's new Vintage Boudoir Series. The day started with a 1940's makeover by hairstylist Severin Hubert and make-up artist Kaz Fernando. This isn't traditional boudoir photography. Julia works very closely with each client to design an image and source the correct outfits and props.

"This isn't the kind of gift you give to hide away in your husband's drawer. This is tasteful, colourful, fun, and sexy. It should be part of your interior design", says Julia.

For more on this vintage boudoir photo shoot visit Kat's blog and for more information on Julia Boggio's photography service visit her website.

Wedding Beverages Options

2010-01-20T18:59:00.001Z

And here comes the big question...should you have an open bar or a cash bar at your wedding? An open bar will allow your guests to drink as much as they like, free of charge, whereas guests are expected to pay for alcoholic drinks at a full cash bar. Every guest at your wedding will contribute to your final bill which is why it's so important to spend a lot of time on the guest list to make sure the people there are the ones you want to share your day with. Think of it this way: You're hosting a party for your partner's birthday. You invite a group of 20 people over to your house to celebrate with a meal and wine. As the guests are leaving you wouldn't ask for money to help pay for the meal and you wouldn't ask for money to help pay for the wine, right? Think of your wedding as a larger version of your house party. You wouldn't want your guests to come to your celebration to be asked to pay for part of their meal. I'm a true believer that the alcohol should be on an open bar policy unless the budget absolutely can't go there then it's okay to opt for a cash bar after the meal. Below are the following types of bar options available:

Open Bar: Allows your guests to drink as much as they please, free of charge. This is very generous on the bride and groom's part and is a great way to thank the guests for sharing their day with them. The bill will add up very quickly.

Limited open bar: The bar will serve free drinks for a certain amount of time, usually up to dessert before they start charging.

Wine, beer and signature cocktail bar: This sets boundaries on what your guests can/can't drink and is usually limited to wine, beer and a signature cocktail. If they want to order something else they can pay for it. This can also be referred to as a limited open bar.

Drink tickets: In addition to wine with dinner, guests will be given 2 or 3 drink tickets which they can redeem at the bar after dinner. The tickets can be mailed out with the invitations or given to guests as they arrive at the reception.

Full cash bar: Guests are expected to pay for any alcohol they wish to consume, including mealtime drinks. This option should be avoided. Please note that some venues do not allow cash bars. ALWAYS check with your venue!

Fabulous Favours

2010-01-17T20:59:00.002Z

Wedding favours are a fun way to thank your guests for sharing the most wonderful day of your life with you. From handmade honey to individual sized gumball machines, wedding favours should be meaningful and personal. Rather than something that will be eaten and forgotten within moments, or tucked away in a drawer, try to develop a well thought out plan for your guest favours so they tie in well with your theme and bring out your personality. In some cases the favours can double up as escort cards, place cards or centrepieces.

all photos found here

Catholic Church- Pre-Cana Counselling

2010-01-07T13:41:00.000Z

When booking a religious ceremony, premarital counselling is often a requirement for the bride and groom to be. In Britain, the Catholic church often requires Pre-Cana counselling sessions which vary from parish to parish and can be held in groups of couples. Many brides and grooms (to be) are very nervous and apprehensive of premarital counselling sessions but they're not meant to highlight your flaws, rather they're supposed to strengthen you as a couple and help prepare you for issues that arise in every marriage.

You'll learn how to deal with issues such as raising children, organising finances, spending money and sexual intimacy. I've never seen a couple go through pre-marital counselling and come out dissatisfied. Even if you're not religious it's a great start to a new and healthy life together. Just remember that it doesn't mean you're having problems but you want to learn how to best work together in the future.

source

DIY Wedding Decorations

2009-12-27T21:57:00.002Z

More and more brides are wanting to fulfill an urge to be creative. What better time to make a mark and show the world what you're capable of then during your wedding? This is a time to really express yourself and let you and your fiancé's personality shine through. Every guest should leave the wedding reception feeling that they know you a little bit more. Below are just a few crafty and easy to make DIY wedding decorations. You can find the templates here.

Bunting: Whether it's made from scrapbook paper, stationery, or pictures of your guests, bunting creates a festive and fun celebration look.

Paper Luminarias: Fold an 11 x 17 pretty piece of paper into an accordian then seal with double sided tape.

Confetti: Step 1: Roll up plain or patterned semi-thick paper into cone shapes then seal with high quality double sided tape. Step 2: Decide if you would like the confetti to be made out of tissue paper or wrapping paper. Once decided, use that material to cut hundreds of confetti petals to place in the paper cones.

Just Married: Type up the letters J-U-S-T M-A-R-R-I-E-D in your favourite font. Trace the opening of a large cylinder vase over the centre of each letter, cut it out then hole punch the top for the string or ribbon to go through. Place over the head table.

Paper Fans: You'll need popsicle sticks (or alternative wooden sticks), thick paper, heavy duty tape or glue, a printer and ribbon, if required.

Wedding Inspiration

2009-12-17T12:30:00.004Z

Pretty desserts.

Photographer: Stephanie Williams via Bridal Bar

Beautiful seating cards with a touch of elegance and sophistication

A pretty rose wreath

Personalised guest favours

Pink and white rose lights

Beautiful finds on Etsy

2009-12-15T22:25:00.001Z

I was browsing one of my all time favourite websites today and came across an up and coming designer, Carol Hannah. As a designer for Project Runway season 6, Carol will launch her full collection in March 2010 but for a sneak preview take a look below:

FlutterFly Events

London Wedding Venues

2009-12-14T15:34:00.007Z

Let's talk reception venues. As a wedding planner in London I get to see a plethora of unique and fashionable venues. Some old, some new, some classy, some chic. If you can, try to have an idea of what you're looking for and what theme you'd like to achieve before you start viewing. The reception venue sets the mood and atmosphere for your wedding celebration. If you can, visit the venue in person as the photos will not tell you how the venue feels, sounds, smells and is overall well equipped for your big day. Many people know within moments of setting foot onto the site if the venue sets the right backdrop for their wedding.

Before sourcing reception venues take some time with your partner to find your style. Would you like to surprise your guests? Make them laugh? Make them cry? Have them throw on their dinner suit and black tie or cowboy boots and straw hat? What's your style? Have this show in your venue. A ballroom wedding is very different to a garden wedding. Have your style carry through your entire wedding and reflect this in all aspects of planning such as your invitations, wedding attire and transportation.

Classic Bride: You plan to wear your hair in a simple updo, you love wedding gowns with simple lines and you want a venue that's timeless. Try 28 Portland Place

Chic Modernist: The trendy bride. You read the fashion magazines, eat at the trendy restaurants and go to the hottest clubs. Your venue should have modern appeal and amenities like the Altitude 360.

Nature Lover: Your most comfortable surrounded by wildflowers, mountains and lakes. You dream of a casual, nature-setting wedding with lots of greenery. The Temperate House or
Conservatory at Chelsea

Hopeless Romantic: You've been dreaming about your wedding since you were 7. You know exactly what your gown looks like, what accessories will compliment that gown and the perfect flowers to hold whilst walking down that long cloud blue aisle runner with an tan coloured trim. You romantics out there will need a venue that's warm, cozy, charming and picturesque. 51 Buckingham Gate

Always ask what's included. Ask for an itemized list of every fee you'll be charged. Some venues don't include VAT, tables, linen, glassware, corkage, setup and take down, staffing and much more, so make sure all of this is clear before placing your deposit.

For a comprehensive list of questions on what to ask your London wedding venue, email our team at weddings@flutterflyevents.com

For help sourcing a London wedding venue, contact our planning team for a complimentary consultation.

Wedding Gown Necklines

2009-12-07T11:46:00.009Z

The neckline of your gown is an important element as a different coverage and angles can alter the look of the dress. A bride can choose her neckline based on body shape, how she wishes to frame her face, or if she would like to enhance or hide particular features. I encourage you to play around with multiple necklines since many brides end up with a neckline she never considered. Below are the different types of wedding gown necklines available:

Jewel: A rounded neckline that encircles the base of the neck creating a high neckline. The Jewel is great for modest women and brides with smaller busts.

Asymmetrical: Super hot on the runways right now, this neckline has a strap over one shoulder and is strapless on the opposite side. Best paired with brides who have delicate collar bones.

Sweetheart: This style dips into the bust line forming the shape of a heart. Most sweethearts are strapless but some may come with straps. A great option if you're looking to modestly accentuate your cleavage.

Strapless: Starts just above the bust leaving the collar and shoulders bare in both the front and the back.

Rosa Clara

Halter: This neckline fastens at the back and hangs quite low in the front, exposing the shoulders and the back. Suitable for tall brides with broad shoulders. This style tends to be less flattering on women with larger busts.

Monique Lhuillier

Off the Shoulder: This style sits below the shoulders and has small sleeves that cover part of the upper arms. This style can be restricting for the bride when she tries to lift her arms to greet family and friends or when dancing so be sure and test this motion if you like the style.

V-neck: The widest opening of the neckline is at the collar and the line creates a V-shape low into the bust. This style, as show below on a Jenny Packham bride, is great for full figured and hour-glass shaped women.

Scoop: Resembling a spoon, this rounded and low neckline dips from the shoulder to just above the bust line. This classic shape is suitable for nearly any body type.

Square: This line follows the shape of a half square (or rectangle) and although it offers a bare chest, it doesn't plunge too far into the bust line. This is a good option for brides with a larger bust.

Bateau: Straps resting on each shoulder, this neckline gently curves under the collar sitting at the base of the collarbone. Great for women with full bust lines who want to minimize attention to that area.

Sophia Tolli

Wedding Planner London

Bridal Jewellery

2009-12-06T21:02:00.002Z

Bridal Jewellery: Once you've chosen your gown, you should begin looking for jewellery and accessories. Your jewellery should complement your gown, not compete with it. If your gown is relatively simple, a single-strand necklace with a semi-precious stone or a diamond drop will look stunning however, if you are wearing a full skirted gown with a lot of lacing detail, you'll want to downsize the jewellery to something simple with elegance. FlutterFly likes the mini champagne earrings from the Kirsten Goss Bridal collection.
Headpieces: I could browse through the "headpiece" section of the greatest jewellers all day long- if I had the time! There are some magnificent pieces available which every bride deserves. From tiaras to hair combs, headpieces add a touch of glamour and princess to the overall dimension of the gown. As with the bridal jewellery, the headpiece should enhance the gown, not compete with it. You may choose to complement your hairstyle with the use of a headpiece, such as a hairpin or hair vine from Yarwood-White. Be sure and check their website regularly as they often have scrumptious sales and discounts :) :) :) Accessories: I recently contacted the ever so glamorous store, Basia Zarzycka. All their bridal hair accessories are made to order and range from beaded posys to brooches. They have an antique, vintage style for chic brides and mums.

Here

Shoes are an important part of the bride's ensemble. You should always focus on comfort and correct fit over style (although styling up your gown with a pair of bridal shoes is so fun!) when it comes to selecting your slippers. Your wedding day will consist of standing, walking and dancing with little time for sitting and rest. If you're wearing a long gown you'll see the tips of the shoes more than other part of the shoe such as the strap, lace or heel. If you're drawn to a shoe because of decor around the ankle strap, you may want to reconsider, especially if the shoe height is high and uncomfortable. Visit Emmy shoes where you can find this great shoe among a selection of others.

The important lesson to take away from this blog is fairly simple. Buy your dress before purchasing other elements of the wedding and from there everything will fall into place. Your accessories and shoes depend on your dress, some suppliers will like to see your dress and the dress will dictate the tone and style of your event. The florist will want to see a picture of your dress to create bouquets and arrangements that work with and around the silhouette and embellishments, and your make-up artist and hair stylist will also like to see a picture of the gown. On the wedding day you must relax and pamper yourself. Have your make-up & hair done, lace up your dress, slip into your shoes, accessorize then voila!

You will have a beautiful wedding enjoyed by yourself and all family and friends. Bride and bridesmaids found here.

FlutterFly Events

Wedding Hairpieces

2009-12-01T17:40:00.004Z

Even though I work in bridal, and see bridal pictures day in and day out, I still get stomach flips every time I see beautiful wedding headpieces. Shop Bando was just listed as one of the top 40 websites by Modern Bride.

The halo

White feathers

Pink flowers

Grey vintage lace

source

FlutterFly Events

Candy Buffet- A sweet trend

2009-11-25T22:07:00.008Z

Sweet buffets have appeal to weddings worldwide. From the joy and playfulness it brings us, to the sugar rushes and highs, sweet buffets are a stylish addition to the wedding dessert. Also popular for wedding favours, provide your guests with glassine bags to fill up, or a striped bag for a retro look.

Plan to have 5-8 different sweet varities and mix the flavours and textures to keep it interesting and your guests' palates happy! A sweet table can add up in cost fairly quickly so work out your budget before charging into the sweet store. Chocolate is considerably more than sugar based candy and handmade sweets are pricier than ready made sweets. You'll also need to include shipping costs when comparing online bulk suppliers. Another portion of the costs comes from the table display. To make the table look beautiful and picture-perfect you'll need linens, containers, scoops, bags and labels.

Tips:
-How much should you buy? Anywhere from 85-170 grams per person is a safe assumption.
-Brides on a budget should note that most guests prefer scrumptious, high-quality sweets instead of fancy smancy packaging.
-Always taste the sweets before placing your order.
-Avoid an outdoor sweet buffet in warm/hot weather. The sweets will stick together and the chocolate will melt
-Ask your photographer to take lots of photos of the table!

Winter Wedding

2009-11-14T16:27:00.007Z

There's nothing as magical as a winter wedding. The lakes have frozen over, the air is ice cold and the trees and streets are lined with Christmas lights. The decorations, props, food, beverages and even colours available at this time of year make this a joyous time for all. From the traditional red and white stripped candy cane to the glitz and glam of sparkling table crystals, there is a wealth of gorgeous decorations and colours to play with.

An old school friend of mine, Claire, had a Winter wedding in Boulder, Colorado, USA right smack in the Rocky Mountains just days before Christmas!!! They married in a church then had the reception in a stunning art gallery in downtown Boulder. Just a few miles from the snow covered ski slopes, it was a true winter wonderland. Claire and Joshua have let us in on their amazing marriage photographed by Beth Photography.

They love to jump! Look at the height of that bride! It must be the gymnast in her ;)

Man they're good!

Pre-Wedding Parties

2009-11-08T22:30:00.012Z

Engagement Party
What better way to share the excitement of your engagement than with a party? Engagement parties are a great chance for your families and friends to get to know each other better. This party is also a chance for the engagement to be officially announced by the bride's father via a toast to the couple and their future together.   The party should happen shortly after your engagement and should have a different theme to your upcoming wedding theme. You don't want your engagement party to compete with your wedding.

Who hosts?: Family members or close friends traditionally host the engagement party but many couple's choose to host it themselves. The bride's parents have first shot at playing host so if the groom's parents want to throw the party they should check with the bride's family.

Who's invited: Everyone invited to this party MUST be invited to the wedding.

*Gifts are not given to celebrate an engagement. If a guest brings a gift to the party, open it after everyone leaves.

Hen and Stag Parties
I've been hired to plan a Stag Party in Europe for next summer and it got me thinking about the differences in men and women! The original idea behind these parties is to engage in some serious bonding with your mates while showering (or embarrassing) the bride or groom to-be with entertainment and gag gifts. Stag and Hen dos have us thinking about strippers and bottomless drinking but those days are gone. Well...not completely gone but more brides and grooms are opting for something different than the traditional g-string and dollar bill.

Modern men are looking for manly activities to do with the boys such as: camping, fishing, snowboarding, rock climbing, gun shooting, paint balling, and quad biking. Many of today's women are organising Hen dos in their home town rather than going abroad. Focus tends to be on physical activities or pamper packages such as: Dance lessons, pole dancing, perfume parties, spa treatments and karaoke nights.   Don't be fooled though, some people still choose to go down the stripper road and it's usually the women versus the men!!

The Scavenger Hunt: If the bride is a good sport, the maid of honour might consider a scavenger hunt where clues are set out for the bride, leading her from place to place! To really get the game going, write out tasks for the bride to perform (you can have her draw the tasks from a hat). Tasks such as, get the bartender to give you a free drink, get a male's phone number and get a piggy back ride from a stranger, are bound to get some great laughs.

Who Hosts?: The Hen and Stag parties are traditionally organised by the maid of honour and best man but this party can really be thrown by any of the bride or groom's friends. Do let the bride or groom have input on the event and the guests who will be invited.

Bridesmaids Luncheon

The bridesmaids luncheon is usually held the day before, or the morning of the wedding. Traditionally hosted by the bride's attendants and organised by the maid of honour, this luncheon is great female bonding and a perfect time for the bride to exchange any gifts with her attendants.   A different approach to the traditional luncheon is to have the bride and her mother host as a thank you for all the bridesmaids hard work. A luncheon, brunch, afternoon tea or cocktail party would be much appreciated.

Groom's Lunch
The day before the wedding or the wedding day itself, the best man should arrange for the ushers to have lunch with the groom to discuss wedding day tasks and details. This is a good time for the groom to exchange gifts with his attendants if he hasn't done so already.

For more information on pre-wedding events including traditional American parties such as wedding showers and rehearsal dinners, contact FlutterFly Events- your wedding planner in London.

Wedding Inspiration

2009-10-30T18:22:00.082Z

I had such a fabulous week that I thought I would share some inspiring and beautiful pictures with you. As a London wedding planner and a wedding planning tutor, much of my job is to keep on the look out for inspiration. If you look hard enough, inspiration can be found in nearly every step you take. You can find it in wedding magazines, design magazines, home and garden magazines, property magazines (look at how the dining table is set up or look at the colours of the front page), browsing department stores, an early morning visit to the covent garden flower market, reading blogs, scoping the home department section at Marks and Spencers, arts and crafts stores - literally everywhere you go you will see colours and designs and this is what leads to inspiration!

Perhaps you want to wear red shoes...

Or have a scrumptious dessert table as well as a wedding cake...

Or maybe you've thought about the idea of a brooch or diamantes on your bouquet handle but you haven't confirmed your envisions until you saw this picture...

Or you're struggling with centre piece ideas and LOVE the idea of chocolate balls and big fluffy balls of hydrangeas together in the same vase...

Maybe you're a trend setter and want to put beaded curtains around your dance floor for an ultra glam settting...

Or you've never been a fan of the traditional coloured dresses...

Heather Gilson of One Love Photo via Blush Events

Definitely some form of inspiration in here...How does she do it!?...

Jeremy Lawson via Blush Events

Candles are a must if your venue allows it. But there is so much choice how will you choose? Give yourself plenty of time for the inspiration phase...

Next time you're in Peter Jones, House of Fraser, John Lewis, etc I challenge you to go into the bathroom section and play around with the towels! This will no doubt provide you with colour inspiration and result in some major wedding inspiration.

source

Will you tie your napkins with patterned ribbon or a lace ribbon?...

Browse RentYourRocks for different jewellery styles and possibly even rent yours from there

2010 Wedding Trends

2009-10-24T23:20:00.064+01:00

A lovely trend: Parasols replacing bridesmaids bouquets:

Brilliant White

When we hear the word "wedding dress" we automatically think of a big white dress. In reality however, most brides don't wear a white wedding gown, instead wearing ivory or cream colours. Stark white can be harsh against the skin but 2010 is bringing in a round of brilliant white gowns.

Monique Lhuillier

Hand painted cakes are an up and coming trend for 2010. as are simple two-tiered cakes. The hand painted cake has a perfectly smooth finish whereas embellishments, such as fondant flowers or bows, add bulk and sharp curves. If you want a flawless silhouette then opt for a trendy hand painted cake like this or this from the Little Venice Cake Company.

The two-tiered cakes like this and this can be used together with a dessert table. Or, if you want to take the cake to another level then place your main wedding cake on the top table and place mini versions of that cake on the receptions tables to be used as centrepieces. Fabulous!

On top of the traditional wedding cake, many couples will opt for a dessert buffet or a candy buffet in 2010. Having been to so many weddings where the cake goes uneaten, why not give your guests a range of desserts to choose from so their guaranteed to find something they love? Click here to find out all about sweet buffets.

One of today's hottest wedding trends is lace, lace and more lace. Ooooo I'm so happy that lace is making its way back into bridal! As we're all aware, vintage is huge right now- and not just in the wedding world. Everywhere I go I see vintage clothing, vintage jewellery, vintage books, vintage how to and so on. I have a feeling that this vintage obsession that the world is in has something to do with this super sexy lace trend.

Another trend we're currently seeing on the catwalk is ruffles. The idea of ruffles is to give the dress more volume.

Beep, beep, beep, beep...chunky necklace alert! Chunky necklaces and bracelets seem to be popping up in all the latest bridal magazines. Not only are chunky necklaces in vogue right now, but the long layered necklaces that you see here are often spotted in weddings as well.

Jcrew

Patterned linen, especially polka dots, have already hit the US wedding scene and are making way to the UK. Modern day brides want to liven up their weddings with colour, character and uniqueness, and patterned fabrics can do just that.

Country Gingham

Back to the wedding gowns... another trend I've been noticing is the asymmetrical one-shoulder strap gown. This is great for showing off your beautiful back side and will make for some stunning wedding photos.

Maggie Sottero and Vera Wang

During the early stages of your wedding planning you'll want to have your guests save the date for your wedding so they don't book a holiday the same weekend you say your "I do's". To do this you can send out pencils rather than a traditional single card inserted into an envelope. Very creative! You should aim to send your save-the-dates 6 months before your wedding date, and 9 months in advance if you're having a destination wedding.

Wedding Themes

2009-10-19T18:15:00.020+01:00

What's more romantic than a Medieval themed wedding set within the lush grasses of the Rocky Mountains alongside of Swan Lake in Bigfork, Montana? The groom was armed with a sword and his outfit furnished with a thick leather belt while his bride wore a princess silhouette gown and a flower halo.

Texas Style.

2009-10-16T19:08:00.015+01:00

A young cowboy once fell in love with a fairy princess. Together they created a beautiful western wedding in Katy, Texas! My dear friend, Kari, has just married the man of her dreams. CONGRATULATIONS! I'll let you in on the juicy details of their fun-filled wedding...

All photos by Jme Portraits .

A big white gown to a flirty white reception dress.

I do. Yeeeeeea Haaaaaa!