Trends, Tips, & Ideas For Your Next Big Event

Selecting the right menu for your celebration party is a crucial factor that could determine the level of its success. Catering for large numbers of people, all with different tastes and possibly with special dietary requirements isn’t something you do every day – but luckily we do!

Our new Head Chef, Alan Jones, has plenty of parties and celebration dishes in his repertoire and knows how to combine flavours and dishes to delight the most jaded of palates and excite even the most experienced partygoer. We asked him what tips he would give someone who is organising a celebration at Clevedon Hall:
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Q: What’s the secret to helping clients find the ideal menu?

A: It’s all about giving the client what they want. We’re here to guide them in their choices, to make suggestions and think of possibilities that might not have occurred to them. Every party menu is designed to include the host’s favourite dishes and to provide a talking point, as well as simply feeding hungry guests.

Q: You have classical training in some of the top kitchens in the country. How does this influence what you would suggest for a menu?

A: Classic French dishes are appropriate for some situations – perhaps a corporate dinner party or an anniversary celebration. Over the years, I’ve cooked a wide variety of dishes, in many different styles and the key is selecting the best of these for the particular party.

Q: Would you encourage street food and mobile food vans? They seem very popular right now, especially for weddings.

A: Yes, of course! We like to include food that is novel and fun, so if the client wants to bring an ice-cream van or have a Caribbean barbecue in the grounds, that’s great. We have wonderful gardens, which allows partygoers to spend time outside while enjoying delicious food.

Q: Do you have a signature dish that you like to suggest?

A: If I had to choose one dish to cook it would probably be fish, for it’s both light and fresh in texture and flavour. I like to create a dish with impact and explore the delicate flavours, which by cooking fish, I find it often allows me to do so. Having said that, the majority of celebration events include a meat dish, as it is seen as a safer option.

Q:  You’ve worked in a wide range of culinary establishments, from gastro pubs to fine dining with a fair sprinkling of Michelin stars and AA rosettes. What will this experience bring to Clevedon Hall?

A: It’s helpful to have experience in a wide variety of events, from corporate lunches to banqueting, parties and weddings. It means that I’m able to match the style of the party with suggestions for the menu and even include a few little surprise touches to delight the guests.

Wedding photographers have undergone a transformation. They always  played a vital role in creating a wedding album, which was a permanent record of the special day for the bride and groom. These days their offerings are innovative and much more fun!

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In the bad old days, the wedding photographer was a necessary evil. He or she (it was usually a he) got in the way of guests trying to take their own photos. He swept the newlyweds away within moments of the ceremony and the wedding breakfast got cold while everyone waited. That was then – this is now!

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The trends in wedding photography include engagement shoots, photos taken in cornfields, alongside pets or even tractors and lots of shots of the preparations. Guests are much more a part of the day, with the phone camera and digital cameras allowing them to be photographers in their own right.

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One of the most popular innovations has been the concept of the Photo Booth. We’ve all used them to take passport photos in the past, so the process is familiar. They allow professional quality photos of informal groups of guests having fun and can be used at weddings or any celebration. The booth can sit in the corner of your venue and you simply add people. The photos pop out of the slot after processing and some companies allow you to alter the settings to provide two copies of each image – one for the guests and one for the bride and groom’s album.

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Photographer Will Davis has his own particular take on the Photo Booth phenomenon – a Mini Studio. This includes ‘proper’ cameras, reflectors and professional kit but also props such as wigs, giant sunglasses, hats, masks and disguises.

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The Mini Studio allows a little more space than a Photo Booth, so you can combine more guests and be a little more creative with the poses and props you use. Add some ride along toys to the mix and hilarity is guaranteed – no need to say “cheese”, as everyone will already be grinning!

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Will says, “For me it’s about everyone’s got dressed up for the event, so an open booth set up is a chance for fun pictures but also to get nice portraits... it’s like a gift to the guest.”

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The idea of a Photo Booth or mini studio removes the focus (pun intended) from the happy couple for a while and also has the benefit of allowing them to relax and circulate among friends and family. They can enjoy seeing their guests being the photographer’s ‘victims’ for a while!

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Another benefit is that your guests will have their own photos of the occasion. The Photo Booth either delivers instant photos or is part of a package of copyright-free images that you can distribute after the event to as many people as would like them. Some suppliers will design personalised photo books or prints to match the theme of your wedding or event.

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The Photo Booth phenomenon need not be confined to weddings. Bring an element of fun to conferences, product launches, wedding anniversaries or any kind of celebration. This is truly a way of blending people together and creating happy memories for the future.

The joy of the arrival of a new baby in the family is often celebrated with friends and family, possibly with other adults offering to help guide the child into adulthood. You can have any kind of party, with or without promises, religious or non-religious. Here are a few options.
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Register Office

A Register Office service can be held anywhere, as long as it is licensed and the registrar will offer a standard service, which you can personalise with additional promises or readings. The service would usually include;

• Welcome
• Reading
• Naming ceremony
• Parent's promises
• Supporter's promises
• Closing words

Often the parents sign a certificate to mark the occasion.
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Humanist Service

Humanists don’t like to include religion in their services, since they believe that all humans are equal. A Humanist naming celebration  can be held whenever you want and wherever you want. It emphasises the role that the parents and family will have in bringing up the child. You can choose to include poems, songs or readings that match your hopes for your child. You can use a pre-written service or ask a humanist celebrant to lead the celebrations. You might choose to include symbolic items, such as planting a tree, signing a certificate or asking everyone to write a wish into a commemorative book to present to the child. Humanist services also sometimes involve friends or relatives acting as guide-parents (a bit like godparents in a church service).
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Independent celebrants

While Humanists won’t include religion in their services and Registrars are forbidden from including it, an independent celebrant can do so, if that’s what you wish. When choosing a celebrant, look for someone who seems in agreement with your ideas about what you want for the day. There are several professional membership groups, which provide a directory of their members.
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Naming day celebrations

You might not feel the need to have a service at all, instead opting to gather family and friends to celebrate the new life with a party. Formalities can be kept to a minimum and opting to hold the celebrations in a venue like Clevedon Hall means you don’t even have to clear up afterwards. Just relax and enjoy.
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Naming children in other cultures
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Hindu

A ceremony called Namakarana Sanskar is held 11 days after the birth & a period of seclusion. In some Hindu traditions, the aunt has the privilege of naming the baby. Much later, when a girl marries, her new husband might change the name on marriage, to complement his own.
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Islam

The Aquiqa ceremony is traditionally held 7 days after the birth. Parents jointly choose the name.
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Judaism

A Brit Milah celebration is held for boys after 8 days. For girls, there is no specific time but the naming often takes place on the first Shabbat after her birth.
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Clevedon Hall Tips

One advantage of holding a naming ceremony or naming day celebrations is that they can be held whenever you like, such as in the summer, when there’s a better chance of good weather outside. A gazebo or marquee would take care of any concerns about rain, while still allowing older children to run around in the fresh air. If you prefer a celebration indoors, we have rooms of different sizes and the Orangery is ideal for drinks receptions.

It’s important to make clear everyone’s roles beforehand, especially if you would like them to play an active part, such as writing a promise or reading a poem, so that they have time to prepare something they feel is suitable.

The Christian tradition presents a certificate and also candles as a symbol of light to the child and godparents on baptism. You can do something similar by creating your own certificate, engraved glassware or decorated china or perhaps book of wishes which is presented by guests to the child.

You can save money by writing your own script for the service. As usual Google is your friend and you might find something suitable online. Celebrants will personalise a script too and this might be the right way to get exactly what you want, without losing the importance of the ceremony.
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Did you know?

In some countries, such as Sweden, each day is a ‘name day’ when you can celebrate, along with everyone else who shares your name. For example, all Susannas celebrate on 11th August each year.

France is one of several countries where the state has a right to veto your choice of name for your child. In Valenciennes, a judge renamed a baby Ella, replacing her parents’ first choice of name for her – Nutella.

In Germany, you must be able to tell from your child’s name whether it is a boy or a girl.

In New Zealand, you can’t use titles, such as Prince or King, as forenames for your baby.

75% of Americans decide their offspring’s name before the child is born – probably due to pregnancy scans revealing the gender of the baby.

Congratulations on the birth of your baby. If we can help organise a naming celebration at Clevedon Hall, please get in touch.

Do you know your Mojitos from your Margaritas and your Old Fashioned from your Moscow Mule?

Ever since Tom Cruise did his thing with a cocktail shaker (your mum will tell you, if you haven’t seen it), cocktails have had an appeal that extends beyond their mere ingredients. Cocktails are all the rage and they’re beginning to feature as entertainment too.

Somerset company, The Waiting Game offers a cocktail masterclass, which makes for great entertainment at a wedding reception or after the wedding breakfast – and you get to drink the results of your labours! The Ready, Steady, Shake! masterclass is all about fun, with expert instruction from a top mixologist and an element of competition, just to keep things interesting.

First, you’re shown how to make a cocktail of your choice from the cocktail menu. Your mixologist deftly manipulates the shakers and swizzle sticks and selects just the right amount of each ingredient from among the herbs, fruits, liqueurs and spirits, and voila – the perfect cocktail.

Then it’s your turn! Either individually or in teams, you step up to the bar. The challenge lies in remembering how to use the equipment to create the perfect cocktail – what could possibly go wrong? Needless to say, this can be quite amusing for all concerned. Your bartender will be diplomatic as he gives you a score for your creation and for what you’ve learned.

And we have a winner! Or rather, lots of winners, as you get to keep your creations – yum.

Ben Pickles, Director of The Waiting Game, tells us how much he enjoys de-mystifying the process of cocktail making and entertaining his clients and their guests,

“Cocktails are going through such a renaissance in Bristol at the moment. They’re appearing more and more on mainstream TV but, unlike food, you’re more likely to have them on an evening out, rather than make them at home. Cocktail masterclasses (we call ours Ready, Steady, Shake!) are a fantastic form of entertainment for guests. They also show that anyone can make cocktails and make them well.

The competition element adds a real bit of excitement during the evening. It’s amazing to see even the least competitive slowly become more and more involved. The best thing for us though is seeing the cogs tick when it comes to the guest’s own creations; you see some fantastic drinks and some truly, truly terrible ones, but that’s the fun of it!

An enthusiastic participant said of their cocktail masterclass,

“We’ve had lots of VERY positive comments from friends. Everything went perfectly and we all enjoyed it. The cocktails were delicious (even some of ours!).”

Ben has supplied us with some of his favourite cocktail recipes, which we’re delighted to be able to share with you. Do let us know if you try them.

Wedding Cocktail Recipes for a Spring/Summer Wedding

Bride’s Bouquet

50 ml Hendrick’s Gin

25 ml Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice

12.5 ml St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur

8 torn Mint Leaves

2 Slices Cucumber

60 ml Cloudy Apple Juice

Shaken and strained into Highball filled with cubed ice and garnished with a massive sprig of mint and a cucumber stick. Straw placed alongside the sprig to get a big hit of mint as you drink.

Autumn/Winter Wedding

Orchard Warmer

37.5 ml Vodka

10 ml King’s Ginger Liqueur

30ml Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice

25ml Cloudy Apple Juice

2 Dashes of Angostura Bitters

2 Apple Slices

Shaken and strained over Highball filled with cubed ice, topped with Ginger Beer and garnished with an apple slice and straw.

Who can resist those lip-smacking flavour combinations? But beware the alcoholic content, which can take you by shurprishe!

Organising original entertainment for your wedding, private function or corporate event is all part of the service at Clevedon Hall – we’ve got lots of wonderful ideas to fill your day with fun and laughter. Get in touch today on 01275 778025.

Photo credit - The Waiting Game.

There are lots of reasons why a newly-married couple might not step onto a plane for a distant, exotic honeymoon the moment they are Mr and Mrs. Instead many are opting for a short break, or minimoon, either in the UK or abroad.
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Save time and money

Travel companies are reporting that newlyweds are still keen on the idea of a big holiday to celebrate their marriage but sometimes it is delayed for months or even years after the big day. It could be that the wedding has taken priority and the expense of a honeymoon needs to wait. Sometimes the problem is having enough time – the two weeks of relaxation has to be delayed until they’re less busy at work, or the children can be taken care of by relatives.

Of course, a shorter romantic holiday would still be very welcome, as Tabitha Symonds of One Off Places [www.oneoffplaces.co.uk] explains,

“Increasingly, newlyweds may not have time to take a long honeymoon immediately after their wedding.  Step forward the minimoon – the perfect opportunity for an indulgent post-wedding break for those who are short of time.  If minimooners think outside the box, then they can find some fabulous short stay deals in a whole range of luxurious places, but which don’t break the bank.”

One Off Places lists a variety of mainly self-catering properties, which are self-indulgent and luxurious, as well as being more or less quirky! Tabitha has chosen the following love-nests, which she believes are ideal for a romantic get away, and she hopes to inspire you when planning your own. Here are her recommendations:
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Tabitha’s suggestions

Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) and with a hamper of tasty goodies awaiting you, the Beach House is in a stunning spot in a private cove in Cornwall.  Sit and listen to the crashing waves, do a spot of beach combing and return to luxuriate in the hot tub together. From £525 for 2 nights.

How about a half tester bed in a modern setting? Whisk your loved one away to this lochside contemporary bolthole, Knoydart Hide on the edge of Loch Nevis, Scotland - From £450 for 2 nights.

After your fairytale wedding, what could be more fitting than living the life of a real princess in Haldon Belvedere your private castle for two in Devon with panoramic views - From £325 for 2 nights.

If you’re an active couple and history appeals, head for Yorkshire with its wonderful walks, intriguing museums and a 15th century Bolton Percy Gatehouse retreat, just for two. From £93 per night (min stay 3 nights).

With budget flights, these Forest Treehouses in Catalonia are not only unique, they’re also affordable. They’re located in the grounds of a 14th century country house. Perfect for nature lovers, romantics and adventurers.From £86 per night (min stay 2 nights)

If your wedding had a retro theme, this Vintage Airstream Caravan continues in the same vein and is just the place for you. Here you’re surrounded by nature, yet Marbella and the stylish coastal bars and shops are just a short trip away. From £80 per night (min stay 2 nights).

We hope Tabitha’s suggestions help to plan your minimoon escape, once the excitement of the perfect wedding day is over.
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Plan your wedding

If you would appreciate some expert guidance with planning your wedding, please get in touch with us at Clevedon Hall and we’d be delighted to assist.

Image credits and contact

Tabitha Symonds

Phone; 01285 750713

Web: www.oneoffplaces.co.uk/

Planning a wedding can be fun. It can be tricky to keep track of all the great ideas and that’s where apps like Pinterest come in handy.

There is an abundance of sources of information and inspiration available to help you plan your big day. You might find it useful to seek personal recommendations from your venue or wedding planner, or to consult magazines, visit shops and explore online resources. One of the biggest challenges is remembering where you saw that brilliant idea for table centres or the name of the creative florist whose designs really appeal.

If you’re not already aware of Pinterest, the best way to describe it is as similar to an online scrapbook. You can search for ideas, bookmarking and saving the best ones by organising them into groups known as boards. You’re in control of organising, so everything will be just where you expect to find it.
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Searching Pinterest

Searching for inspiration on Pinterest is simple – just type keywords into the search box, for example ‘bridal hairpieces’, and a huge variety of results will be presented. NEW – Pinterest now helps you by providing ‘guides’ which helps you narrow down the results more precisely. Examples for the hairpieces search are “hair down’, ‘with veil’ or ‘vintage’. Each of the search terms comes up individually, so you can delete them if you change your mind without losing the whole search. Next to the Search box is a drop down menu allowing you to click on popular categories such as Weddings and Travel, which are regularly updated by Pinterest.
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Like what you see?

All the results you see from your search have been added, or ‘pinned’ by other users. You can find out more about a photograph, or ‘pin’, by clicking on it. You can comment on the pin, ‘like’ it or pin it to your own boards – and this is the best way of keeping these individual bits of inspiration for future reference. Click on the ‘pin it’ button on the top left of the pin. Now you can add the pin to an existing board or create a new one.
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Creating boards

It helps to give your new boards a descriptive name – Wedding Venue Choices, Minimoon Destinations or Somerset Wedding Suppliers tell you exactly what’s on the board – and this helps with the social aspect of Pinterest too. Part of the fun is that others can share your discoveries, comment on your finds and maybe make suggestions that will help you too. You can add a ‘Pin It’ widget to your internet browser, to make it easier to save your pins directly to your boards from interesting websites.
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Find out more

Once you find something you like, you can click on the pin once more – and it will often take you through to the website where the pin originated. Here you can get more information, find out how to make or bake or even purchase the item in question. The link will open in a new tab, so it’s easy to go back to Pinterest after looking. (Note that some pins are in fact photographs uploaded by others and these won’t link to a website.)
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Following

If you find someone who seems to pin lots of amazing ideas, you can choose to follow them – either a particular board or all their boards. This means that everything they pin in future will be presented to you on your home feed next time you’re on Pinterest. You might find that you gain followers of your own before long – like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram this is a social platform and it’s fun to collaborate with others.
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Who can pin?

A handy feature of Pinterest is that you can choose who pins to your boards. This is useful if you want to allow your bridesmaids to help with your research, for example – just add them to the list of people who are able to pin. Pinterest will notify you when others interact with your boards.
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Private boards

You might want to keep some of your ideas and discoveries to yourself. You might not want the bridesmaids to know what you’re thinking of buying them as a thank-you gift or perhaps you don’t want the world to know all the details of your wedding. Pinterest enables you to create secret boards, which you can share with just those you invite.
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Warning – it’s addictive!

Pinterest is a great way of keeping your ideas together but it is easy to lose hours at a time once you start searching, pinning and commenting. It really should come with a warning – great fun, an excellent way to organise your wedding planning ideas and very addictive!
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Useful links

www.pinterest.com

https://help.pinterest.com/en/guide/all-about-pinterest/

In recent years, the hen party and stag party have become a major performance. Deciding what to do has become almost a stress in itself, especially when there are so many other decisions to be made.

Many hen parties involve a group of friends dashing off abroad where there are worries about missing flights and losing the bride in the airport. Others opt for wearing L-plates and tiaras for a tour of local pubs and clubs. But is this really what you want for your last nights of freedom?

Naturally, we’d advocate a retreat to a fine countryside or seaside venue, such as Clevedon Hall. Having chosen a venue for your hen party, the next consideration is what are the key ingredients that you must include to make the weekend a success? High on the list of essentials will be fine food, drink, fun and laughter – maybe laughter in particular, and that gives us an idea…
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Laughter Yoga

Laughter Yoga is something that is hitting the headlines, due to the fact that it is a great way to have fun with your friends – and an ideal addition to your hen weekend.

Instead of making hen party arrangements that raise your blood pressure, Laughter Yoga will actually reduce the stress that has been building up due to wedding planning and anticipation of the big day. You’ll feel energised and refreshed – ready to enjoy the rest of your weekend and face the challenges ahead.

Daniella Warner of Lighten up Life is a certified Laughter Yoga leader and she says, “Laughter Yoga can change your mood within minutes by releasing endorphins. If your mood is good, you feel good. It helps you to encourage a sense of humour too and brings more laughter into your life with a smiling face and positive attitude towards life.”
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Health Benefits

Did you know that 10-15 minutes of deep belly laughter could give you the same cardiovascular work out as 30mins on a rowing machine? There are other health benefits too. Laughter Yoga can:

• Boost your immune system – no nasty colds on your wedding day
• Create more energy – get everything done and still feel bouncy
• Lower your blood pressure
• Reduce stress and restore emotional balance
• Release endorphins to make you feel good
• Increases blood circulation to bring a bloom to your cheeks
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So what is Laughter Yoga?

It’s a combination of guided laughter exercises, which bring more energy and oxygen into the body; and Pranayama or yogic breathing. If that sounds complicated, it really isn’t. You are encouraged to laugh with childlike playfulness – as we all know, laughter is contagious and once one starts, everyone is laughing!

The trick is that the body gets the same physiological and psychological benefits from laughter like this as from ‘real laughter’ – it doesn’t know the difference – and you soon start to feel positive and joyful.

You can bring the tricks and secrets of Laughter Yoga with you on your wedding day, and use the strategies for the rest of your daily life. Daniella Warner says, “Laughter Yoga will teach you how to keep your spirits high when you face challenges in life.  It promotes mental attitude to help you cope with all situations more easily than someone who hasn’t experienced the changes it brings.” And what’s more – it’s fun!

At Clevedon Hall, we’re always open to suggestions for creative activities to make your hen or stag party successful. Contact us with your ideas and our events team will do their utmost to make your wishes come true.

Daniella Warner

Laughter Yoga Coach

Lighten Up Laugh

07801 498519

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Fusion weddings celebrate the heritage of both the bride and groom. Two families from different traditions are joining and fusion wedding celebrations offer something for everyone. The blending of Asian, Chinese or Japanese with Western customs can lead to exotic, colourful and rich festivities, which are unique in representing the couple and their values.

If the marriage is taking place in a western setting, you have the advantage that many of the guests will already be aware of the traditions that apply in this part of the world. This is the ideal opportunity to feature the best of both kinds of celebration with your respective families.

Some of the possibilities are so decorative and colourful that brides and grooms choose to adopt them, despite having no immediate connection to eastern heritage. Here we describe just some of the themes you might like to include.
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Chinese

Traditionally, once they become engaged, a Chinese groom’s family will present impressive gifts to the family of the bride. A typical gift may be money in multiples of nines (999 or 9999) since the number nine in Chinese has come to represent the concept of a long future together.

The reception space is often graced with floral streamers, paper lanterns and parasols, hung upside down above the guests’ heads. The table also features paper lantern or cocktail parasol decorations and of course, fortune cookies. Suppliers such as Anna Newman of Sugar Bowl Bakes and Cakes - Www.facebook.com/sugarbowlbakes can tailor the decoration of the cookies and even the messages they feature to match your theme.

The bride might choose to wear a traditional red costume and decorative floral or embellished jewelled hairpieces. Actually it’s all about red - red and gold table linen and settings, red bouquets – almost anything red!

At the wedding banquet, guests traditionally bring red envelopes with money or a fruit gift comprising dates, peanuts, longan fruit, lotus seeds and chestnuts. The Chinese wedding breakfast is a true banquet (traditionally held in a restaurant, but in fusion weddings the venue is also acceptable) with many choices of Chinese food. There is alcohol for the toasts and the bride and groom drink from glasses tied together with red ribbon.

The Chinese give dragon and phoenix cakes to guests instead of wedding cake but you if you’re determined to include a tiered cake, perhaps a dragon feature or Chinese message such as the ‘double happiness’ symbol cake topper would lend a touch from that culture.
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Asian

For the purposes of this blog, Asian means Indian, Sri Lankan, Pakistani and Bangladeshi - a huge geographic area with a multitude of traditions. There’s only space to mention some of them here.

Asian ceremonies can last several days – select aspects of the tradition if you prefer to have a shorter celebration. Also, your groom may choose not to enter the ceremony on a horse, perhaps choosing a more practical Indian themed transport option.

You’ll often see elephants represented for good luck in table centres, place settings, cake decorations and fabric embellishment and made of every possible material from flowers and wood to icing.

Cala lilies and orchids, and elaborate decorations involving petals and coloured spices are popular. Floral garlands are used for decoration or worn around the neck by the principles. Intricate henna mehndi patterns adorn the hands and arms. The bride will wear a set of choora bangles up the arm, which are usually red and white.  They are given to the bride by her maternal uncle and must be worn for anything from 40 days to a year after the wedding.

A stage or Hindu mandaps provides a dramatic setting for the ceremony, with pillars, royal chairs for the wedding party and carpet decorated traditionally with water jars, garlands of flowers and leaves and more modern fairy lights, draped fabric and crystals. There’s informal seating with brightly coloured cushions and decorative rugs for guests.

White is not a traditional colour for brides from many cultures. Despite this, modern brides are often choosing to wear a traditional costume for the ceremony and a white bridal gown for the reception afterwards. We can’t fault their reasoning!

Clevedon Hall’s wedding planners are experienced in planning Asian and Chinese fusion weddings. Whether you want to incorporate some or many traditional aspects into your special day, we’re happy to help. Get in touch to start planning today.

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Email: sugarbowlbakes@hotmail.com

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It is traditional to decorate your wedding venue for the ceremony, to wear clothes selected for the occasion and add flowers to mark the special nature of the day. But how do you compete with the decorations that are already in place at Christmas time? Should you even try? Read on for 25 ways to make your wedding extra special at Christmas.

1 Welcome your guests to the reception with steaming glasses of mulled cider or wine.

2 Really embrace the festive season with Christmas themed menus. Bite sized mince pies, pigs in blankets and devils on horseback make wonderful warm nibbles during a drinks reception.

3 Doorways decorated with arches of billowing white blossoms echo the snowy theme of a winter wedding.

4 Red and gold chair ribbons bring the traditional colours of Christmas and add a shot of brightness.

5 Add reflective crystal wherever possible to imitate ice – entwined in floral decorations, chandeliers, beading on dresses and shoes.

6 Introduce festive baubles and seasonal berries, pinecones and greenery to seat row-end decorations.

7 Champagne, gold, ecru or palest citrus shades for your wedding gown provide rich contrast to winter whites.

8 Take advantage of the venue’s Christmas tree and other decorations to act as a backdrop for your photos.

9 Ensure your photographers are briefed to catch images of any snow that falls on the day.

10 White twigs and branches bring the wintery theme indoors – decorate with feathers, crystals, white orchids and ribbons.

11 Silver adds a glistening highlight, while dashes of purple, fuchsia pink or deep red add contrast to a white colour scheme.

12 Flickering candlelight adds a special touch – for safety, use battery powered tea lights – you can hardly tell the difference.

13 Citrus scents and mulled wine are warm and wintery and appeal to all the senses.

14 Think festive colours for your make-up too – red lips, glowing cheeks and glittery eyes.

15 Extend your wintery theme, such as a snowflake motif, to your stationery - from your invitations to your place cards, menu and thank you cards.

16 Dust your wedding cake with icing to represent fallen snow – especially effective on cakes garnished with fruit or contrasting icing.

17 Make sure the bride and flower girls stay warm for outdoor photo shoots with a fake fur cape or bolero.

18 Disco lighting at the reception can be used to project snowflakes or falling snow around the room while you dance the night away.

19 Include deep red blooms and evergreen fir or eucalyptus in your white bouquets to add a Christmas-y touch.

20 Consider using coloured uplighting to make your white-themed reception into a magical grotto.

21 White candles nestled in cranberries in glass vases make excellent table centrepieces.

22 If the weather threatens to be inclement, Le Chameau or Hunter boots in colours that match or contrast will ensure toasty toes while outdoors.

23 If snow is essential to your nuptials, guarantee it by using a company like Snow Business to create it for you – just like they do for films.

24 Frozen ponds, icicles, frost or snow in your photos create lasting memories of your special day.

25 Personalise a Christmas tree ornament as a favour for each guest to take away and remember your wonderful winter wedding every year.

For more ideas of how to make your winter wonderland wedding a reality, talk to one of our wedding planners today and arrange a site visit to begin to visualise your scheme.

Credits where used

Pia Cato snow dusted cake with fruit – no separate photography credit

www.vanillapodbakery.com    

In a slight change to our normal information about planning events, we felt we should add a post about the launch of our new bedrooms.

Since we turned Clevedon Hall into an events venue in 2010 we have had numerous requests for bedrooms. We soon sought out advice and guidance to investigate if this was possible. The initial feedback from multiple sources was that it would be impossible to do because of the complicated arrangements on the first and second floor with split levels and not enough plumbing pipework in place.

We investigated other options but eventually came across Childs and Sulzmann Architects who were confident that there were solutions to the issues. We immediately started planning and we were soon able to discuss details plans with English Heritage and the local Conservation Officer. We took on board their feedback and then went for planning permission, which with the help of the North Somerset Planning department we were able to quickly get approved.

The next step was to bring on board a main contractor, we decided on John Perkins Construction who are a local firm. Throughout the building process the team have been great. Rupert, Daniel and Alex have been helpful, hard working and happy to offer advice. The site manager Hayden has also been great to work with, nothing is too much trouble and if issues crop up then he is quick to deal with them.

Then as rooms became available our interior designers Jane Clayton Interiors swooped in to install furniture, artwork, etc. in the rooms that they have already specified paints, carpet and wallpaper. This gave each room it's own special personality.

All this hard work came together on the 27th November in our official launch of our bedrooms.

We wanted to say thank you to all the people that had put such hard work in to get to this point and to introduce local people and businesses to the amazing rooms we have been able to create. As a treat we offered wine and canapés which were incredibly delicious. Then there were competitions on an F1 driving simulator and laser shooting.

Below our some initial photos of the launch to enjoy

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Baptisms, weddings and funerals have always marked the significant events in our lives, and the lives of those we love. Traditionally these were governed by the religious beliefs of the family concerned, and the format for the service was laid-out with very little room for change.

Today, many people prefer to personalise these life events, so that the whole celebration is just as they want it. The assistance of a celebrant in writing and performing an individual ceremony just for you can be invaluable – so what exactly does a celebrant do?
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Celebrants, humanists and registrars – what’s the difference?

UK registrar services are forbidden from including references to religion and follow a scripted ceremony.

Humanist services are non-religious and are unscripted.

Celebrants’ services, such as naming ceremonies, wedding celebrations and funerals, can include as many of the traditional religious aspects as you would like.
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Is it legal?

Wedding ceremonies performed by celebrants aren’t legally binding (in England and Wales – different rules apply in Scotland). It is therefore necessary to have a legal marriage first and then you can have whatever kind of celebration party you like, perhaps with a celebrant officiating. This summer, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie got married this way and so did George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin.  Both couples had their wedding ceremony in two parts – a brief legal part and a ceremonial element. There are no legal requirements for naming ceremonies and funerals.
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Where and when?

Civil ceremonies must be conducted in a licensed venue. By contrast, celebrants’ services can be held anywhere and at any time – there are no legal restrictions to their form or location. So, you can hold your celebration on the beach, in a private garden, at a stately home, in a forest or the local pub!
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What can you include?

The beauty of it is, you can have whatever you want and your celebration will be personal to you and your family. You can personalise your vows, choose any style of music and include as many aspects of the traditional baptism, marriage and funeral services as you like.  You can choose the running order, and include any of your own symbols, whether that’s rings, candles, hand fasting, jumping the broom or sand ceremonies.

Celebrant Judy Mansefield of Cherish Ceremonies says, “I love to research content with my couples to reflect their personalities and their culture. I’ve written celebrations incorporating Icelandic traditions and Japanese tea ceremonies. A favourite was a couple from a Greek family, who wanted to include some of their heritage. I loved the wedding where we included a chuppah and breaking the glass from the groom’s Jewish heritage, together with the Catholic bride’s sister singing ‘Amazing Grace’ just after their vows.”
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Where to find a celebrant?

Look for celebrants on social media, using a web search (many have their own websites), by personal recommendation – either from your venue or a friend, at wedding fairs or using one of the associations which train and list celebrants, such as The Fellowship of Professional Celebrants or The UK Society of Celebrants.
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Why use a celebrant?

In much the same way as you might choose your venue based on the experienced and helpful staff, having a celebrant arrange your ceremony means having an expert to guide you. You’ll have the opportunity to get to know them in advance, to arrange things exactly as you would like them and know that they are on your side to make everything go smoothly.

Judy Mansefield says, “Would you like a blessing in Gaelic? How about a greeting for your German guests? Or a welcome in Cantonese? Or perhaps the whole ceremony in French? Yep, I have done that, too! Have a chat with a celebrant - you may be surprised at just how personal your ceremony can be. You are only going to have this moment once. Make it beautiful!”

Clevedon Hall is a licensed venue and civil marriages can be held here. We are also able to accommodate naming ceremonies, wedding celebrations and wakes celebrating the lives of our loved ones. Ask us about using a celebrant at Clevedon Hall.

Useful Contacts:

http://cherish-ceremonies.co.uk

As the days darken into winter and the clocks go back, we begin to look forward to signs on the Clevedon Hall estate that spring will soon be on its way. Often the first indicators are the insignificant flowers that push their way through bare soil like tiny jewels. If you’re getting married in the springtime, you will know that the abundance of seasonal flowers on offer makes this the most glorious time of year to marry.
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Stephanie Saunders is a florist working in the south west and she tells us what she loves most about creating wedding flowers in the spring.
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Probably the most recognisable spring flowers are the Narcissi (daffodil).
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Ranging from subtle white and lemon hues, to strong, burnt yellows, they introduce a pop of colour to any design, as well as a heady scent. A cost-effective option, narcissi look lovely in spring bouquets.
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Tulips are another typical spring bloom. They offer a massive colour range in both bright jewel-like colours as well as more subtle pastel shades: another cost-effective option. They can be difficult to work with, as the stems continue to grow once cut but they always look lovely.
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Ranunculus is one of the loveliest spring flowers. A mass of papery thin petals tightly packed together that come in a wide range of colours.
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Anemones resemble poppies - simple and delicate petals with a dark, velvety centre. They are at their peak season in spring and look lovely when combined with other spring favourites. Once again they come in a range of colours but I think they look their best in the richer tones.
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Hyacinths are highly fragrant spring flowers, formed from a mass of waxy florets. Some of the delicate colours hyacinths offer make them a must for a spring wedding – including white, pink and blues, though my favourite is the soft lilac variety.

‍Muscari is a real spring gem. A pretty china blue flower variety with delicate clusters of teeny tiny bell shaped heads. A very pretty choice for a spring bridal bouquet, and looks lovely when combined with other spring favourites.
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I've saved my absolute favourite for last... the Lily of the Valley. I’ve seen a recent rise in its popularity, since the Duchess of Cambridge chose it for her bouquet. Possibly the most beautiful, sweet scent, it is a real luxury to use this in your floral design. A cluster of dainty, pure white bells will add a fluffy texture to any bouquet and it looks lovely when combined with statement flowers such as Roses and Peonies. It’s a real treat and I would happily add it to every bouquet if I could. This is a touch of luxury though as it can be quite expensive, even when in peak season.
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Stephanie advises that couples are honest with their florist about their budget, allowing him or her to guide you on where best to spend in order to create maximum impact. “Flowers in season are usually the most reasonable in price. We can source flowers out of season but the quality can be compromised and the price of them shoots up.”
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It’s all about communication – if you see blooms that you like, let your florist know. Stephanie says, “Make sure you talk often with your florist about the overall look you’re keen on achieving. This may make the design change from time to time but if you see a particular flower used at your friend’s wedding or in an arrangement that you like, take a photo and send it across to them. They should be able to advise you about where it could fit into the design.
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Remember it is your florist’s job to create a design perfect for your wedding that is exactly what you want. This is achieved with communication and changes to the design should be accommodated.”
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A venue such as Clevedon Hall has scope for floral arrangements large and small – see our wedding gallery to source ideas for your wedding flower plans. If you like what you see and would like to book, please get in touch with our wedding concierge on 01275 778004.

Stephanie Saunders Floral Design

http://www.stephaniesaundersflowers.co.uk

Technology has brought so much to the modern wedding. Instead of buying a second set of prints from their photos to share with the bride and groom, today’s guests are likely to add their photos to online albums. And the innovation doesn’t end there.

The Millennial wedding makes use of online gift registries, a designated “Tweeter of Honour” and even live-streaming your wedding, for guests who can’t attend. A recent Huffington Post article e.g also estimated that 89% of couples use wedding planning apps in the run up to their big day.

Apps are great for managing your wedding planning on the go. Once downloaded onto your phone or tablet, you can take it with you to the bridal gown shop, the venue, the florist or any of your suppliers.

We asked bride Clare Dowson what she looked for in an app. She told us,

“We usually budget using a good old fashioned Excel spreadsheet. We were looking for an app that would enable us to keep track of not just what we were spending, but also who had RSVP’d, which vendors we’d paid deposits to, and that let us make a seating plan. In other words, a bit of everything!

For the purposes of planning our wedding, the app worked much better than our normal spreadsheet. Updating the information on an iPad was much more convenient than turning on the PC & loading up three spreadsheets and a Word document. It presented the information in an attractive way and it was all in one place.”
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General Solutions

You can adapt software like Evernote and Mint to use as wedding planning tools. They’re powerful, free and will help with budgeting, but they don’t have wedding specific functions, such as wedding countdown, links to suppliers and table planners.
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What to Consider when Choosing an App

·      Make sure it’s available for the platform you use – Android or iPad for example

·      Price – many are free but some are worth paying for

·      Recommendations – personal or online reviews

·      Can you back up data, to iTunes or the Cloud? This prevents you losing all your work.

·      Are there pre-populated lists of things to do?

·      Is the app customisable, so that lists are appropriate? (Some are American, some UK focussed).

·      Can you synch with other devices? (Your phone with your fiancé(e)’s devices so that you’re both up to date).

·      Is the currency symbol correct?

·      Sometimes it is possible to upgrade free apps to remove advertising.
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What Apps are Available?

We had a quick look at some wedding planning apps.

Guides for Brides Wedding Planner – iPhone Android - specifically UK - FREE

Tick lists, email reminders, synchs with website, large supplier directory. Worth noting – the budget feature has some negative reviews.

Wedding Planner for iPad - also iPhone and iPod - £6.99

User Clare Dowson says,

“We got married in May and we used Wedding Planner for iPad to track our budget. It was a real help. We chose this app as it got good reviews in the App Store & combined the table & budget planning features we were looking for. I think it cost £7 but it was the only app that gave us all the features that we needed & I view it as money well spent.”

Appy Couple  iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad – cost 69p

Appealing appearance, allows you to personalise a mini website to share with your guests. Less emphasis on budget. Has great reviews and the latest version claims to have fixed technical issues. Couples can share the planning.

Ultimate Wedding App - iPhone Android Blackberry £1.99

An attractive app, with budgeting in multiple currencies, tips & advice, vast range of functionality – all customisable.

I’m Getting Married Wedding Planner iPhone iPad iPod touch – 69p

Features include countdown, social links, budget can be exported to Excel and it syncs with iTunes.

iWedding Deluxe Wedding Planner iPhone iPad iPod Touch - £2.99

Lots of features, including keep track of your budget manually or automatically, to-do lists, seating plans and supplier details. Can be backed up but not synched between devices.

Wedding UK App iPhone iPod Touch iPad FREE

Features include a supplier directory, budgeting tool, to-do list, seating plan and check lists.

Brides Wedding Planner - iPhone iPad iPod touch - FREE

The emphasis is on inspiration, with lots of ideas in various sections. Countdown, checklists, social links and budgeting taken care of too.

The Wedding Secret - website

Has a planning tool with emphasis on finding links to suppliers in your area (south west UK at the moment). Budget section not well defined.

Of course, the ideal supplement to any app is the ability to pick up a phone and talk through your ideas with an experienced wedding planner.

A gift list is one of the fun tasks when it comes to planning a wedding, but not all the presents on the day are intended for the bridal couple. It is traditional to thank your mother and mother in law, by giving them an impressive bouquet at the reception. It’s equally important to show your appreciation of the bridesmaids for their support and friendship, both before the wedding and on the day itself, by giving them a small gift or memento.

Modern gifts might be monogrammed kimonos and flip flops for the pre-wedding spa or an engraved cocktail glass for toasting the happy couple. The common theme is that the gift is something to keep and something of value. Traditionally, though, the gift has been jewellery.
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Bridesmaids’ Gifts - Etiquette

The guide to etiquette compiled by Debrett’s is the last word in what you should do, say and buy for all occasions. Naturally they have a section to lead you through wedding etiquette, and though weddings are much less formal these days, it makes a good read. On the question of gifts for the bridal party, it says,
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“THE BRIDESMAIDS

The chief bridesmaid should receive something of greater value than the other bridesmaids; jewellery is a popular option.

The presents for the bridal party are usually given out during the groom's speech. If, however, the present is a necklace or earrings that can be worn on the day, then they can be given on the morning of the wedding.
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BABY BRIDESMAIDS AND PAGES

Their presents are usually given out during the groom's speech; it is a nice gesture to give them something they can keep for the future.”
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Choosing Jewellery

Often the bridesmaids are given matching, simple jewellery before the ceremony. They don’t have to be identical - maybe choose something from the same collection for each girl. Anything with a knot motif is a great idea, carrying on the theme of ‘tying the knot’.

Jewellery designer Rosemary Griffin owner of Biba and Rose, says, “A bridesmaid gift is a token of appreciation, a special gift to say thank you.  With that in mind, it should be something personal and individual, perhaps something that can be worn on the day, but also something that can be treasured as a keepsake.

“Jewellery is the perfect solution.  Pearl jewellery has always been a popular traditional bridesmaids’ gift and now with more modern and bespoke designs available, it is even more popular.”

It’s often possible to find jewellery to match your wedding theme – for example oak leaf pendants to symbolise long life would be appropriate for an autumn wedding. If you’re marrying on a beach, a shell or seahorse might be suitable, and floral themes are always popular. Pearls have long symbolised the purity associated with weddings and, if the budget will stretch to precious stones, you could choose something to match the girls’ dresses.
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Jewellery – Points to Consider

• If it’s to be worn on the day, make sure the design is a good match for the bridesmaids’ outfits. A neat pair of earrings might be a better option for dresses with elaborate necklines than necklaces. Alternatively, lariat or longer length necklaces that fall below the neckline work well.
• Jewellery for younger bridesmaids or flower girls needs to be dainty. Hair slides are a good alternative.
• If you do choose earrings – remember to consider whether the girls have pierced ears.
• As with the dresses, choose something your bridesmaids would pick for themselves, otherwise the gift will spend more time in a drawer than being worn. It’s important to think about the personality and interests of the bridesmaids. If in doubt, go for something that will stand the test of time.

Presents need not be expensive. Whatever you choose, include a personal note – short and simple just to say thanks, or a longer note expressing why you chose that person as your bridesmaid and what it means to have their support on this special occasion. This is often the most valued gift of all.

Images kindly provided by:

Biba & Rose

BEAUTIFUL JEWELLERY                                                                                                                        

www.bibaandrose.co.uk

As the leaves begin to change from greens to gold, a bride’s thoughts naturally turn to autumn weddings. Adopting one of the many variations on an autumn colour theme presents wonderful opportunities to bring the outside indoors and celebrate the season’s colours.

A typical autumn palette would include shades of amber, ochre, marigold, mustard and chocolate. For contrast, elements of navy or plum and forest greens add vibrancy. The ever-popular purple injects a shot of brightness, for example for the bride’s silk shoes or the bridesmaids’ sashes and the ties of the groom’s party. Search for “Autumn Colour Palettes” on Pinterest for interesting combinations.

Your wedding invitations will give the first subtle hint about your autumn colour theme to your guests. It’s possible to combine the best of wedding traditions with your theme, so there’s no need to sacrifice the ivory of formal stationery. The secret is to keep the theme going with decorative touches, such as embossed or printed leaves, contrasting envelopes and envelope seals.

Don’t forget the details! Amy Box of Hold My Hand blends nail polishes to suit the seasons and she has created 'Feel the Auburn', a shade which shifts from bright orange to warm reds. She says, “Autumn weddings look stunning with the right blend of colours and you can tie lots of details in, even down to the colour of the bride’s and bridesmaids’ nail polish. I love the warmth of autumn colours, they remind me of home comforts, like getting cosy in front of the fire.”

Among the opportunities to explore your colour theme is the wedding cake itself – perhaps by representing the deep browns and vibrant orange of autumn in a magical three tiered chocolate cake, decorated with orangey kumquats and their glossy green leaves.

The colour of the wedding party’s sashes and ties can be continued to the chair covers and decorative bows to bring the theme together. Bronze flatware and charger plates add a mellow tone to the table and subtle lighting beautifully enhances these metallic touches. Candlelight is particularly appealing at this time of year, as the sun dips to the horizon and mist forms. You can opt for statement tapers or church candles in dramatic centrepieces, Perhaps using bronze or mustard coloured glass holders.

Texture can play a big part in uniting the theme and wood, leaves, stone, metallic lace and silk ribbon all make a contribution. There’s scope for incorporating these in the table decorations – surrounding the floral displays or as an alternative to tablemats. The table is where your guests will be enjoying the wedding breakfast and you can build anticipation of this by appealing to all of the senses. Of these, scent is the most memorable and evocative. By allowing the drifting aroma of the last of the roses, cinnamon & spices to perfume the room, you set the scene.

Wedding flowers can follow the autumn theme by including seasonal rose hips, hypericum berries, eucalyptus leaves and purple sage to add dramatic tones, texture and scent. Centrepieces could include novel seasonal items like pumpkins, teamed with the burnt oranges of gerbera or dahlias. Hand tied bouquets can be cost effective with alstroemeria or indulgent with highly scented, multi-layered David Austen roses.

On a grander scale, if you’ve chosen a venue like Clevedon Hall, with dramatic trees and shrubs in their autumn finery, you have a ready-made, fantastic backdrop for your wedding photographs. Autumn light also adds a magical touch to the reflecting lake. In this instance, nature does all the work for you and your theme is provided.