Plan Your Wedding: Insider Info – What’s Hot for 2010 by Lisa Notley Wedding Cakes

April 22, 2010 By 1 Comment

Today’s Article come from the Lovely Lisa Notley of Lisa Notley Wedding cakes – oh and they are scrummy too (the cakes that is…. ahem, not that Lisa’s not!  well you know what I mean, I’ll shut up now before I dig myself in deeper – suffice to say, if you are looking for a fab scrummy wedding cake, then it’s Lisa you should be talking to!).

Here is Lisa:

Ohhh… it’s that time of year again when Courtenay comes along asking for a piece for his blog, or perhaps he’s just after one of my chocolate cakes……..   (As if I would Lisa ;-) )

We have had a really exciting start to the year here, at Lisa Notley Wedding Cakes. We were asked to take some mini individual chocolate – wrapped cakes up to London for a photo shoot for Conde Naste Brides magazine. The cakes look amazing within the “HOT HUES” story. You can see the cakes & story in the Jan/ Feb 2010 issue of the magazine. We also have a tiered chocolate shard cake going in the May/ June issue. We get such a buzz seeing our cakes in the best selling bridal magazine. It’s also very good for business!!

Trends that we are seeing for this year’s wedding cakes are tall deep narrow tiers, which will give great impact to any reception. Bright colours – think juicy oranges & fuchsia pinks, white cakes with piped pearls, oversized sugar flowers & sparkles. Extravagantly bold chocolate decorated wedding cakes are still a huge hit as are our mini chocolate cakes which can be used as dessert. Brides are becoming more adventurous with their cake designs & are choosing some deliciously different cake bases – including our scrumptious dark chocolate and whiskey cake, champagne & strawberry cake & lemon with Limón cello liqueur cake.

(One of Lisa’s fabulous creations from the wedding of Rhian & Mark)

I always finish on a recipe (though never one of our top secret wedding cake recipes!)
This is our family favourite at the moment…..it’s so easy to make & great as a “cake” or served as pudding with ice-cream & berries.

Chocolate & marshmallow fridge cake.

300 grams of dark chocolate drops, use good quality 53% cocoa solids or above.
180 grams butter.
225grams digestive biscuits, broken into small pieces.
200grams of mini marshmallows
150 grams dried fruit, cherries or / & nuts.
50 grams melted white chocolate

Line a baking sheet with baking parchment.

Melt butter in a saucepan; take the butter of the heat. Add the small pieces of chocolate. Leave for a minute & stir.

Add biscuits, 150 grams of the marshmallows& fruit / nuts & stir until all ingredients are coated in chocolate. Tip onto baking sheet & press down.

Sprinkle with the remaining marshmallows & drizzle with the white chocolate.

Pop in the fridge & leave until set. Remove from sheet & parchment, cut into pieces & store in an airtight container.

You can contact Lisa either by giving her a call on 01300 345139 or by visiting her website www.cakesbylisanotley.co.uk

I don’t know about you, but I’m salivating already just having read that recipe, where’s the phone….!

Courtenay Photographic – Wedding photographer in Dorset
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Plan Your Wedding: Insider Info – What’s Hot for 2010 by Personal Life Stylist

April 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Today’s Top Tip’s article comes from Mark Nicholas Waldron, who is a Personal Life Stylist! What’s one of those I hear you say? Well, read on…!

Personal Life Stylist specializes in implementing positive changes and experiences to individuals wanting a happier and healthier lifestyle. Everyone reaches a stage in their life where they feel the need for change but unfortunately it is not always easy without specialist help, that’s where we come in.

We promote four key specialist areas; Fitness, Style, Beauty and Nutrition. We have dedicated people here to help all individuals achieve their own personal goals and aspirations, as we feel that these key areas are of paramount importance to everyone’s day to day life activity. We believe that luxury is having a sense of well being, having confidence in the way you look, how you present yourself and all of this stems from a healthy diet. Together we will help you transform your life from the inside out.

Personal Life Stylist is proud of being based in the affluent city of Bath where style and sophistication is an everyday occurrence. Our clients not only benefit from our expertise but also the fantastic shopping facilities. Milsom Street, Bath has been voted the best fashion shopping street in the country. The wide Georgian street was given the title in an internet poll organized by Google. More than 11,000 people voted over a three week period last month and competition was fierce with local businesses, councils, tourist boards and the media rallying behind different Street’s. Milsom Street beat 20 other shopping areas -including the world-famous Kings Road in London, which came third.

What’s Hot?

SS10 has finally come around after what seemed like a never ending winter and what better way to start the new season than with some fantastic new ensembles. This spring there are so many different looks that it almost makes shopping for the right image a complete minefield. Personal Life Stylist has put together the perfect choice for under a £100.00. It’s sexy, it’s fun, it’s sophisticated and most importantly it’s RIVIERA!

The Riviera look is a chic yet comfortable style making it ideal for beating off the summer heat. The garments are often designed in cool cotton or comfortable linen fabrics making it essential for daytime wear. The pallet of blue shades keeps the nautical theme whilst the vibrant red and white stripe’s, clean lines and simple shapes provides a modern and dynamic twist.

Eva Belted Navy Nautical Dress –Boohoo.com at £20.00
Ruby Striped Military Style Top –Boohoo.com at £15.00
Naula Gold Sandals –Office at £50.00
80’s Round Sunglasses –Asos.com at £10.00


Personal Life Stylist
T: 01225 837536
E: info@personallifestylist.co.uk
W: www.personallifestylist.co.uk

Give Mark a call, you will love the experience and end up looking fab too!

Courtenay Photographic – Wedding Photographers in Dorset
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Plan Your Wedding: Insider Info – What’s Hot for 2010 by Funkty Dumpty

April 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Hi Everyone, hope you had a great weekend, especially with all this lovely weather we are having at the moment. I have to admit to having a great time myself, having covered a wonderful wedding at Rhinefield House in the New Forest, more to come on that very soon!

So, back to today and our current them of of Top Wedding Tips from our favourite suppliers. Today’s article is written by Louise from the faboulous Funk Soul & Disco function band – Funkty Dumpty – cool name too.

Here is Louise:

About Funkty Dumpty:

Funkty Dumpty formed early in 2004 and have built up a reputation as the one of the best upbeat funk, soul and disco function bands in the UK. The band is available in a variety of different line-ups, from the standard 6-piece, right up to the full 9-piece, which includes a live brass section and is perfect for larger functions. Funkty Dumpty perform at in excess of 100 events every year and, with each core member of the band a full-time fixture, a show of the highest quality is guaranteed.

With the soulful vocals of lead singers Louise & Lisa and the highly acclaimed band and backing vocalists, Funkty Dumpty have built up an outstanding repertoire of the best of funk, soul & disco classics including Car Wash, Disco Inferno and We Are Family, as well as current chart hits from artists including Christina Aguilera, Girls Aloud and Beyoncé. Every song in the set is a certified chart hit, so you can expect to find yourself singing along and tapping those toes!

(Funkty Dumpty Strutting their stuff at the wedding of Zena & Lee last year at Maunsel House in Somerset)

What’s new and Hot for this year?

This year we have introduced a whole range of new tracks to our usual repertoire. You can now expect to hear all-new disco and soul medleys, as well as contemporary arrangements of tracks from artists such as Justin Timberlake, Mark Ronson and Destiny’s Child. Perfect for getting the whole family up on the dance floor!
Also new for this year, we have the addition of our afternoon Jazz 5-piece or duo, which is proving particularly popular for weddings. You can expect to hear a range of jazz, easy listening and popular classics, providing the perfect soundtrack for your afternoon tea or dinner.
We’ve also booked a few public shows in for this spring. This is a great opportunity to come and see the band play live, as mostly we’re busy with private functions. Upcoming gigs include a performance at The Wheatsheaf in Frome on 4/4/10 and Mama Stones in Exeter on 30/4/10. We’d love to see you there!

You can contact Louise and Funkty Dumpty through their website at www.funktydumpty.com and if you are looking for that special band for your function, I couldn’t recommend them highly enough.

Courtenay Photographic – Wedding Photographers in Dorset

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Plan Your Wedding: Insider Info – What’s Hot for 2010 by Niemierko

April 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

More fabulous Wedding Tips for you to enjoy, today from our favourite wedding planner Mark Niemierko.

Mark is the wedding and event planner of choice for savvy and stylish clients. Founded by Mark Niemierko, who has over 10 years experience within the event industry, Niemierko specialise in weddings, civil partnerships and other social events such as baby showers, barmitzvahs, birthdays and? anniversary parties.
At Niemierko, they approach each wedding as a combined effort with their couples. They start by getting to know you so they can fully understand your style, passions, likes and dislikes. They then reflect your lifestyles and personalities into your wedding.
Niemierko ensures that every element comes together with style and efficiency. The flow, timing and execution of a wedding day is as important as the details themselves. Focusing on service and making sure your guests are felt taken care of is at the forefront of Niemierko‘s commitment to excellence, allowing you to relax and enjoy your wedding day.

(A few of those important stylish details that help to add that special touch to the day. Note the lovely bird cage on the table which hosts the guest cards and menu’s. From the wedding of Jesica and Dominic at Ston Easton Park 6th September 2009)

This is what Mark had to say:

A few top tips for spring / summer:

We are forever thinking of new ways to incorporate escort cards into a clients wedding. Whether hanging from trees, blossom branches within varies types of vases or urns. With different colour cards and ribbon.

We love to place table plans in individual vintage picture Frames – a real mix match to create a vintage feel to a reception.

Paul Antonio, the famous calligrapher is now printing bespoke invitations – which are to die for!

Hire large Vintage Mirrors and have a calligrapher write your wedding menu on them in white paint.

Involve your guests – ask them to send in a DJ request with their RSVP card

Ask your makeup artist to stay behind until the evening dancing with an assistant or two to offer “Makeup Touch up Bars” – ensuring your female guests look their best all day long.

Seen it all before but it never goes out of fashion – Lily of the Valley as the bridal bouquet – its only in season for a short period in Spring – so make the most of it!

Out door ceremony on a hot summer day – have your Order of Services printed on fans – to keep the ladies cool.

Best wishes

Mark

Mark is available by appointment only, to book an appointment with Mark either call his team on +44 (0) 20 7580 5010 or fill out the form on his website http://www.niemierko.com/book.php

Courtenay Photographic – Wedding Photographers in Dorset

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Plan Your Wedding: Insider Info – What’s Hot for 2010 by Cupids Corner

April 14, 2010 By 1 Comment

Continuing our theme of Wedding tips and ‘What’s Hot‘ for 2010, today I would like to introduce you to Becky and Tina from Cupids Corner – The latest in those gorgeous dresses for her, cute little outfits for the bridesmaids and stylish suits for the men.

Here are Becky and Tina:

Firstly, congratulations! You have found the man of your dreams and decided to set the date. Your next assignment is the big one… finding the perfect wedding gown for the most important day of your life! This is a challenging, but hopefully very enjoyable task. There are thousands of dresses out there to utterly confuse and baffle you, and without the right advice and assistance it can be a minefield. You may have seen a style in a magazine for instance, which you really love, but will it be the right shape for you, will the colour flatter your skin tone? These are all important factors to consider when on your quest, and the right advice and assistance from knowledgeable staff is vital, as is their honest opinion of which gowns most flatter your particular shape.
This year has brought a wealth of new gowns to the collection, constructed from the finest satin fabrics. Unlike the satin we all remember as being really stiff and heavy, these new fabrics drape supremely well, giving a most flattering soft flow to the gowns. Choose from Silky Satin, Angel Satin or Dolce Satin, each of which, bring a slightly different look to the gowns.
Colours have evolved this year too, with new colours Oyster, Pewter and Pearl complementing the old favourites of Ivory, Champagne and White, which are always available. Fewer brides than ever choose White as the colour for their wedding dress now, as more variations on beautiful, soft colours become available. Warmer tones are generally much more flattering to the English complexion, with rich creamy colours bringing out the true English Rose look in fairer types, and the more golden Champagne tones work really well for those with darker hair and skin.
Dresses are embellished with scatterings of Swarovski Crystal, Pearls and Diamante. This collection sees the introduction of some 3D features on gowns such as textural flower motifs combined with delicate bead work.


(example of a 3D effect and the dress is a slight peach in tone – Sarah and Mada’s wedding 2009)

Pure Silk gowns still grace the rails and give brides a lightweight, cool option that feels so special to wear. Available either completely plain for a chic couture look, or with crystal and pearl detailing, silks are available in a variety of colours including palest Pink and Blue, Champagne, Candlelight, ivory and White.
So, what else is hot for 2010? Veils are here to stay, with many brides choosing full-length styles to complement their choice of gown, and add an extra bit of sparkle, especially if the train of their dress is plain. Others who may want a slightly less traditional look, but still like the idea of a veil, are choosing a single tier veil which looks very delicate and can be worn towards the back of the head so that it falls down the back rather than around the shoulders. Tiaras too are a must have accessory with endless variations available depending on your choice of wedding gown. With designs ranging from simple crystal headbands to more traditional shapes, in any combination of crystal and pearl. Bridesmaids tiaras are becoming very popular too with a comprehensive choice of crystal colours too choose from as well as feathers for a more funky look.
Bridesmaids dresses for 2010 are a mix of both short and long styles, with lots of new colours such as Fuschia, Teal, Raspberry, Aqua and many more.
Brides are finding the facility to see all their chosen outfits together in one shop to be the best, and least stressful way of co-coordinating the whole wedding party, from menswear through to flower girls.
If you would like Cupids Corner’s expertise in finding out not only what’s hot for 2010, but what’s perfect for you personally, then book an appointment with Tina or Becky on 01747 825525, or by emailing info@cupidscorner-bridalwear.com. For more info and to see the latest collections, visit www.cupdscorner-bridalwear.com.

Best wishes

Becky and Tina

Courtenay Photographic – Wedding Photographers in Dorset

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Plan Your Wedding: Insider Info – What’s Hot for 2010 by Maggie Hunt

April 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Many of you may remember that last year we ran a succession of wedding tips and articles from our recommended suppliers, not just based in Dorset but all over the UK. Well these proved to be so successful we decided to do it again! This year though, we have asked the suppliers to tell us ‘What’s Hot’ – the latest trends and fashions in their industry (business) and the wedding market overall. Please remember these articles are all from professional suppliers we have met whilst working; businesses we not only like personally but who we have no hesitation in recommending to our brides – businesses we know we can rely on to do an absolutely brilliant job for you each and every time.

So to kick off this years Wedding Tips, Hints and Articles – ‘What’s Hot’ I would like to introduce you to Maggie Hunt, a fabulous make up artist based in London.

Here is what Maggie had to say:

WHAT’S HOT AND WHAT’S NOT IN MAKE-UP THIS SUMMER

My year started fabulously with my first wedding in January at The Four Seasons in Hampshire; I just love it there! I jet around the country in my little Polo and my TomTom always gets me to my wedding destination safely and on time. I do many wedding trials in the winter months and I went to Miami for an advertising photo shoot in February. I have just returned from Cape Town working mostly on the beach keeping models looking amazing and sweat free.

(Maggie doing her thing at Jesica and Dominic’s wedding last year)

The wedding season is really hotting up and each year there are changes in make-up looks, which are mostly inspired by celebrity weddings, celebrities on show at film premieres and the Oscars.

It is no longer hot to be a natural bride and to be honest brides don’t ask anymore to be natural. The face has to be flawless but still look like skin and a mask type foundation is a definite no, no!

I will be embellishing the eye make-up with eyeliner and lashes; the type of line and the type of lashes depends on the bride and the shape of her eyes.

I will be using bronzer but not all over the face, just picking out the features to give shape and a glow to the face. I will blush the cheeks with a rose tone that has a hint of shine.

Highlighter is another must have which emphasises the eyes, the brow bone and sits above the blusher and shimmers beautifully in photographs and in the night light.

The lips will be there but softly shaped and glossed with a beautiful blushing tone.

It is more and more popular for the mother of the bride to come for a wedding trial make-up and her make-up will be stronger and sexier than ever before.

So there you have it!

Oh! And be careful of over doing the fake tan, and if must go in the sun make sure you sunbathe with no straps, especially if you are wearing a strapless wedding dress.

Best wishes

Maggie

To Contact Maggie -

Tel/Fax 020 7435 5049
Mobile 07770 917 570
email maggie@maggiehunt.com
Web http://www.maggiehunt.net

Courtenay Photographic – Wedding Photographers in Dorset

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