Unofficial sneak peeks of Gemma and Stuart's Stunning Country Marquee Wedding

Over the past eighteen months we have had the pleasure of working with Gemma and Stuart and their families to plan their wedding which took place three weeks ago. The ceremony took place in Throop with the reception taking place in a beautiful traditional marquee in the garden of Stuart's parents house in Wimborne. We don't want to say too much now as a full blog with lots of details and photos will follow but what we can say is that the wedding was simply stunning! It really had the 'wow' factor when guests walked into the marquee. Think elegant, romantic and sophisticated.

We've been very excited to share this one with you! We haven't received the photos from the official photographer yet but we can't wait any longer to share with you a few glimpses of the set up of their stunning romantic wedding which we took ourselves.

 

The marquee was laid out with circular tables for guests and an oval Top Table, giving a very relaxed but social atmosphere. 

The tables were laid with ivory table cloths (a little tip for you- if you're having a marquee wedding, choose ivory table linen as they will match the colour of the marquee linings whereas white will really stand out), gold table runners, napkins with gold ribbons, gold envelopes containing favours, flowers and the piece de resistance, the gold rimmed glasses. The gold rimmed glasses were stunning and we think really completed the look and brought the colour scheme together.

 

The top table with a beautiful heart shaped wreath made by those clever ladies over at Arcade Flowers.

The napkins were simply rolled and tied in double bows with gold satin ribbon to match the gold rimmed glasses and gold table runners. A simple but very effective idea, although I have to admit my perfectionist and obsessive side came out when tying the bows- they had to all perfectly match! Gemma's Mum and lovely Bridesmaids did a great job of helping me with them. We had a little production line going with some cutting ribbon, some rolling napkins and some tying the bows! Great team work!

Gemma and Stuart's cake was made by Lisa Notley who imitated the lace from Gemma's Suzanne Neville dress in icing on the cake. One very clever lady! The simple colour scheme teamed with the detail and intricacy of the design was jaw dropping. This cake sat upon the most gorgeous cream clock cake stand -so different a so beautiful

This sweetie table was put together by Gemma and her bridesmaids and what an amazing job they did- it could have been done by a professional (they even made the marshmallow trees themselves!). All the guests loved it- filling up their pink and white stripy paper bags and taking them to the dance floor. The sweetie table was officially opened by the bride and groom during the evening reception, some of the guests were finding it very hard to resist up until that point!

Beautiful flowers by Arcade Flowers. The pale blush pink peonies and roses looked very romantic and added a bit of colour to the marquee whilst still maintaining the elegant pale colour scheme. Some arrangements were tall like this one whilst others were short arrangements to add interest to the marquee. Tea lights were added to the flower arrangements to give the marquee a warm glow.

I could not take my eyes off these gorgeous crystal chandeliers when I first saw them. They made the marquee look very elegant without the tables even being dressed. They make a marquee feel much more  luxurious and elegant in comparison to traditional brass fittings.

Hope you've enjoyed a few sneak peeks! The full blog entry will be with you very shortly.

Nicolle

x

Beach Weddings Bournemouth and The Daybreak Wedding - The Preparations

The last few months with Beach Weddings Bournemouth has been something of a whirlwind to say the least which is the reason for the lateness in blogging about a really exciting development with our very unique beach wedding and event venue!  Since the end of 2011 we worked closely with ITV to bring a competition to their morning programme, Daybreak, and in February we were visited by a small crew and presenter, Michael Underwood, on the beach when they came to film a VT to launch the competition which they aptly named “Here Comes The Tide”

After hundreds of applications from couples who had a romantic story or a connection to Bournemouth these were selected down to the top 3 and their stories were each shown on the programme in April where the viewers could then vote for their winning couple.

Melanie with Michael Underwood during filming of the VT for the "Here Comes the Tide" competition launch

On 19^th April 2012 Michael Underwood visited the home of Kate and Frazer live on Daybreak to announce they were the winners of the competition as voted by the public and that they had won the opportunity to be the first couple to marry on a beach in England and their wedding would take place a week later!

So we began with the final week’s preparations for their wedding and with the weather not looking at its best for April we had our work cut out. We have a strong and highly supportive team of suppliers and the way that our marquee based beach venue is organised we build everything for the worst case scenario with weather and if the sun decides to put in a glorious appearance we can easily take off the sides of the marquee to open it up but if there is a shower or windy conditions our marques can withstand it.

Now this amateur image taken on a Blackberry pre the start of the build of the marquee does not look all that fabulous does it!  Well its purposefully included to show you what a transformation was created in some of the worst April conditions we could have imagined so read on!

Midway through the morning of day one of the build the sea is still progressing far too far up the beach for our liking but the sun had decided to make something of an appearance.  The marquee team from Maidmans Marquees were working very hard to get this job completed as were the Bournemouth Council Seafront team - building a little sand wall along side the marquee to help with some of the wind and sea which was coming right for us!

So it was up!  Against all odds the guys had managed to get the marquee up so then internal works could begin on day two for things to start to take shape.  Linings go in next and then the coconut matting carpet overlay on to the hard all weather flooring - great for those ladies heels!

Linings are up, bunting starts to make an appearance and the guys are putting the finishing touches to the carpet.

And then the floristry begins!  Emma and Jenny from Arcade Flowers arrive to start working their magic with all things floral!

Louise and Rachel from Coastal Creatives even managed to find time to squeeze in a coffee!

Our marquee company Maidmans Marquees who kindly supplied the marquee for the winning couple worked incredibly hard to ensure that the structure went up in the strongest winds.  Working against all odds the team (kept happy with copious amounts of coffee, cakes and fish and chips late on Thursday night to keep them working!) pulled off this difficult job and made it look amazing.  The wall of the marquee on the sea side was a complete window wall (as with all weddings) allowing a stunning view of the sea no matter what the weather.  The rear of The Wedding Hut was enclosed last minute due to the unseasonal weather which would have prevented a clear sound signal for transmission of the ceremony live to the nation.  This is something that we can add in to couples wedding plans if the weather does seem to look difficult in the future as well.

These are some images of how things were looking when the TV crews arrived on the beach the day before the wedding to set up their gear - and boy there was a lot of gear!

We cannot thank the team enough who helped put the marquee together and make it look beautiful who were Louise and Rachel from Coastal Creatives and Emma and Jenny from Arcade Flowers – both recommended and valued suppliers of Beach Weddings Bournemouth.  The design scheme for the marquee agreed in advance and created by Coastal Creatives with floral designs and creations from Arcade Flowers and this was The Great British Seaside with an elegant feel and use of pastel shades and soft English flowers.  Louise from Coastal Creatives (with her Mum!) made metres and metres of stunning bunting which adorned the marquee and this was put up on the Thursday.

Arcade Flowers had worked incredibly hard to create the most stunning floral arrangements.  The white wooden chairs had nickel bucket pew ends with stripey blue and ivory ribbons.  The front of the marquee and the top of the cliff lift had large versions of these buckets with large silver windmills and soft moundy flowers at the base to match the rest of the themes. We had two tables dressed in the marquee for those guests who wanted to be seated after the ceremony to enjoy their canapés and champagne.  Coastal Creatives and Arcade Flowers did a great job in delicately yet effectively dressing these tables to match the overall design scheme of the marquee.

Now, the brides bouquet (and matching smaller bouquets for the three Rachels / bridesmaids) what can we say – simply dreamy – well done Arcade Flowers for the most stunning creations known to man and these photos simply dont do them justice! 

We had a full rehearsal on the Thursday night with the ITV crew and Kate and Frazer and their family which was a great opportunity for them to see the marquee (albeit not quite finished at that point)  and the way that the day would run.  The bride and groom then enjoyed  the evening with their guests before an early night as the day started very early!

Down on site after the rehearsal took place we worked late into the dark of the night to finish the marquee.  The catering team were arriving to set up the kitchen and deliveries galore were being made.   

What an exciting day of preparations this was but extremely hard work for all the team involved but so much excitement was in the air for the following day.

Huge and heartfelt thank yous go to one of our biggest supporters IanH for working so hard on shooting some of these images above in the rehearsal and then went on to cover the wedding itself for Kate and Frazer - but more about that in Part II.

For more information on Beach Weddings  Bournemouth  please contact us

Minterne House....Dorset's best kept secret?

It has taken us a while to write this blog, but after Bellissimo Wedding Planners were invited to visit Minterne House last November we decided it was definitely worth a mention and we’re sure you won’t be disappointed either!

Oozing history, heritage and graciousness, Minterne House could be regarded as Dorset’s best-kept secret and the perfect, truly unique venue for your special day.

A private winding gravel drive leads to the graceful Minterne House. Minterne House has been home to the Churchill and Digby families since 1620. The unique family home also doubles as a magnificent event venue, particularly suited to weddings and civil ceremonies. Being a family home which is closed to the public, Minterne House remains an exclusive venue in the heart of the Dorset countryside. On walking through the grand doors of Minterne House, it feels alive and atmospheric making your wedding day unforgettable for both you and your guests.

 Image courtesy of Bill Norris

The tour of the House highlighted a variety of licensed rooms in which Civil Ceremonies can take place, offering locations for small intimate weddings or larger parties for up to 150 guests. The spectacular Trafalgar Hall with barrel vaulted ceilings and floor to ceiling windows, overlooked by a grand balcony is a popular setting for Civil Ceremonies as is the beautiful Garden Room overlooking the south front lawns. A ceremony can be followed by a drinks reception in the house or gardens on a sunny day. For the Wedding Breakfast, The Trafalgar Hall can be transformed or alternatively dinner can be served in the Tapestry Dining Room.

 Images courtesy of Bill Norris

The stunning Gardens make Minterne House the perfect summer venue whilst the roaring log fires make it a welcoming and cosy winter venue. If its history or character you’re after for your big day, Minterne has it by the bucket load. From strong ties to The Battle of Trafalgar to Sir Winston Churchill to ties with the Gunpowder plot to the scandalous life of Lady Jane Digby, Minterne House has something to interest everyone.


We were treated to a trip around (with being allowed to drive as well!) the 4X4 track which is perfect for the day before a wedding - how about entertaining the Groom and his Groomsmen the day before?  Add to this more fun with clay Pigeon shooting, quad-biking, cookery classes and go-carting can be fun activities for corporate days as well.  After our action packed morning we lunched in the most stunning dining room on local cheese and bread and a selection of local meats - all pretty wonderful.  

 Image courtesy of Chameleon Photographic

The spectacular gardens at Minterne House landscaped in the 18^th Century by Capability Brown are perfect for those magical wedding photos. With a backdrop of the beautiful Dorset countryside, the gardens are home to beautiful streams, small lakes and waterfalls. 

For larger weddings, the Gardens can become an integral part of the day. A fairytale bridge leads over a ha-ha to a romantic marquee for the reception. This option offers stunning views of the house as well as the romantic gardens.

 Image courtesy of Minterne House

Image courtesy of Minterne House

Although perfectly suited to weddings, Minterne House is also worth consideration for other events, be it private or corporate, Minterne has something to offer for everyone. The House has the capacity to hold conferences for up to 160 delegates whilst also being able to cater for smaller seminars. 

For more information contact Maureen Panchen at Minterne House we highly recommend this venue as being well worth a visit to experience its beauty and charm and to consider it for your own wedding or event. 


Nicolle Chainey