New Green Wedding Package

I recently came across a blog entry in the Green Review which reports on a new green wedding package which The Ritz Carlton Hotel, San Francisco (pictured above) has unveiled which they have named "shopping with the chef".

This stunning hotel which I visited last year, is in the heart of this wonderful city. What a fabulous idea the hotel have had to involve the bride and groom and their wedding planner in a pre wedding shopping trip for local specialities to take advantage of the wonderful variety of regional farm food and seafood which California has to offer. They are hoping that the result will be a "uniquely fresh" and seasonal menu for the wedding breakfast using local produce which has not had to travel a long distance thus saving in fuel and packaging and generally adding to the "green" experience for the wedding. What a wonderful idea. San Francisco has a fabulous choice of farmers markets to visit and in the surrounding areas of California there is a huge choice of local produce and seafood.

If there are any hotels in the Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire areas which we cover for our wedding and events planning we would be pleased to hear about this as we think its a fabulous and appealing idea and we have beautiful produce to offer in our region.

For full details of the blog and the launch of this new idea please click on the link to the blog below

http://greenreview.blogspot.com/2010/01/something-green-new-wedding-experience.html

Venue Sourcing for corporate clients

(Les Bouviers Restaurant with rooms Arrowsmith Road, Wimborne)

(Menzies Carlton Hotel, Bournemouth -

image courtesy of www.picturesofengland.com)

We were delighted recently to be able to assist Women in Business Network (WIBN) Bournemouth (and the soon to be launched Poole group) with venue sourcing to hold their regular womens networking events. We researched WIBNs requirements and sourced venues and then produced a short-list according to the client's requirements and then arranged a number of venue visits. We spent an afternoon accompanying Jacqui Frampton of WIBN Bournemouth and Poole whilst the short-listed venues were reviewed. Jacqui decided on The Carlton Hotel, Bournemouth for her Bournemouth Group and Les Bouviers, Arrowsmith Road for her new Poole group (images of which can be seen above).

The Carlton Hotel offers Jacqui a great space to continue the success of her Bournemouth group in a new venue, which, coupled with very efficient service should please the members for their future meetings.

Les Bouviers fine dining restaurant with rooms in the beautiful Arrowsmith Road on the outskirts of Wimborne boasts a wonderful function suite which is ready to greet Jacqui's new Poole group which is to be launched in March. The fine cuisine will certainly help the members along at their meetings.

We were very pleased to have been able to assist and were grateful to receive a lovely testimonial from Jacqui following our work with WIBN - always happy to please!

"My thanks Melanie Kiani of Bellissimo Weddings and Events. After providing Melanie with an outline of our requirements she quickly produced a “short list” of suitable venues for me to review then both arranged and accompanied me on the viewings. Melanie also researched and secured my venue for the launch of Poole. Her professional approach and level of service saved me time, money and stress. I have no hesitation in recommending her services (she was amazing!)"

For more information about WIBN Bournemouth/Poole please contact Jacqui Frampton at jacqui.frampton@wibn.co.uk

Mini Wedding Brownie Pops

We are just loving these mini bride and groom wedding brownie pops - perfect little addition to your wedding for table favours. Visit www.beau-coup.com for their full range - fabulous!

Break the ice with a rehearsal dinner

Photo credits - www.coopercarras.com
www.stylemepretty.com
www.planningforever.com

Its the norm in the US and we are seeing a gradual increase for something similar here in the UK for the rehearsal dinner. This is a traditional way of bringing together the bride and the groom's families and close friends and the bridal party usually the night before the wedding as an introduction or an ice breaker.

Rehearsal dinners are a great way for the bride and groom to-be to spend some extra time with their loved ones before the big day.

Traditionally rehearsal dinners were hosted by the groom's family for the bridal party and the minister and his wife after the rehearsal of the marriage ceremony (usually a day or two before the wedding). Today, however, they rules of etiquette are not so strict and the rehearsal dinner can be hosted by the bride and groom themselves or even the bride's family. Invitations are also usually now extended to out of town guests and close family and friends. The purpose of the rehearsal dinner is to thank those involved in the wedding preparations but it is also a great opportunity for the couple to spend some extra time with their loved ones before their big day. The event also serves as a fantastic opportunity to reacquaint family members and friends before the wedding. Toasts (or roasts as they are called) are usually made in the couple's honour and it is quite common for the couple to hand out small gifts to those involved in the wedding preparations. A rehearsal dinner can be held anywhere - what about having outside caterers coming into your home if you can accommodate the numbers around your table and be waited on? Or, rent out a restaurant or speak with your wedding venue - they may have another suitable function room within the hotel for you to host a rehearsal dinner. Whatever suits the couple's taste and financial situation best.

What do you think? Are you getting married soon and have your families met yet? Give us your stories

Stephanie Thorne - Our US expert

Try out The Italian Villa Compton Acres before booking your wedding

Thinking of getting married at The Italian Villa, Compton Acres? This is the perfect opportunity to give it a try!

Beales Gourmet, exclusive caterers based at Compton Acres, are presenting fabulous Sunday Lunches at The Italian Villa on the 17th and 31st January, 14th February and 7th March. First one is this Sunday - so book now. Why not treat your family and friends and ditch the washing up this Sunday!

Sit back and relax to the sound of the grand piano and enjoy the stunning views of the Italian gardens whilst enjoying your choice from the Sunday lunch menu.

2 courses for £24.00

3 courses for £27.00

Full bar service available and house wine for £13.50 per bottle. Click on the link below to the Compton Acres web site for full menu and booking information.

This special price also includes a 2 for 1 offer on entrance to the beautiful gardens at Compton Acres - the perfect way to end your Sunday after a lovely lunch.

http://www.comptonacres.co.uk/index.php?pIDref=112-upcoming_events