My Christmas in Pictures

So Christmas is almost here and before I sign off for a few days and head to Ireland I thought I'd share in pictures what I'll mostly be doing for the next week...catching up with family, munching my way through tins of quality street and packs of mince pies, guzzling mulled wine, celebrating Aoife's first Christmas, sharing presents, going cold turkey on my red cup addiction, watching old school xmas movies and bumper dvds of Timmy and altogether having a fun and relaxing week.

Have a fantastic Christmas everybody. I'm looking forward to hearing lots of xmas proposal stories!


xxx

DIY Xmas Gifts

When I spotted these cute hot chocolate gifts on the Hey Gorgeous Blog last month I knew I had to get my DIY head on and make them. 

I made a few substitutions, namely white and milk chocolate chips for the peppermint squares and Baileys instead of Kahlua. I also added a bite sized bar of Green & Blacks to dunk in!

And here's my efforts....

I'm off to neck the remaining miniature Baileys and search for a decent camera to buy myself next year! If anyone has any recommendations for a blog photo worthy, reasonably priced and easy to use camera please let me know.

Vinopolis

Set close to the banks of the river Thames and beneath the arches of a Victorian viaduct, Vinopolis has to be one of the most unique venues in London. Outside is reminiscent of a Dickensian film set whereas inside the rooms range from the Great Halls with its exposed brickwork and vaulted arches to the more contemporary space of the Mezzanine.

 Above image is © of Barrie Downie Photography www.barriedownie.com

How magical is this photo?!

All three of its rooms, the Mezzanine, Great Halls and Academia, are licensed for civil ceremonies and Vinopolis can accommodate up to 400 people for a ceremony and 500 for a sit-down meal.

    Above images are © of Tom Nicholls Photography www.tomnichollsphotography.com

Vinopolis offers all-inclusive wedding packages starting at £82 per person. For more information see their Wedding Brochure.

Snow White

So the snow may not have hit London but seeing pictures of the rest of the country covered in the white stuff has me all misty eyed for snowy brides. Add a snow white twist to your winter wonderland theme with a splattering of deep red.

Photo Credits from top left going clockwise:

Alex Beadon Photography / Sloan Photographers / Apples of Gold / A Little Market / Anne Maile Blog / Tirzah Photography / Filippo via Flickr / View Point Inn via Project Wedding / Grazier Photography / Patricia Dries via Foto Community / Pseudo Serious via Flickr / Rebekah Westover / Alfred Angelo


Have a look at Alex Beadon's inspirational Snow White Bride shoot for more ideas on how to incorporate the Disney twist into your day.

Stationers' Hall

I love discovering lesser known wedding venues in London and my latest find, Stationers' Hall, is very special indeed. This Grade 1 listed building is situated in the heart of the city and has a choice of different rooms available for a ceremony, reception, wedding breakfast and dancing.

This spectacular venue is steeped in over 300 years of history and provides a stunning backdrop to an elegant city wedding.

The Court Room and the Hall are licensed for civil ceremonies. 

The Hall and Garden can be hired exclusively by you for your reception drinks and meal. The courtyard garden is a beautiful green oasis and ideal for drinks on warm spring and summer days.

The Hall will awe your guests as they dine at 340 year old wooden tables under huge stained-glass windows.

The Stationers' Hall are currently offering 10% off venue hire for certain months in 2012 so get in touch if you think this could be the venue for you.

All images are © The Stationers

Choccywoccydoodah

I really am so behind the times when it comes to the amazingly creative geniuses (or should that be genii?) out there that are making wedding cakes that go way beyond the three tier iced fruit cake option. I like cake, but I don't love it, so if I'm going to shell out for a wedding cake it will have to be for something very special indeed.

So needless to say I was absolutely chuffed to find Choccywoccydoodah, a Brighton based cake shop specialising in handmade decadent wedding cakes and sculptured chocolate fantasies. Choccywoccydoodah offer a choice of five different flavours of cake - sicilian lemon, syrupy ginger, tropical coconut, cappuccino and of course their infamous chocolate, together with a range of fillings. They also offer a bespoke service and will work with you to create a one-of-a-kind chocolate masterpiece.

If cake isn't your thing then cake out their range of delicious chocolate gifts which are ideal for wedding favours.

 

           

Choccywoccydoodah are based in Brighton but should be opening up a London store very soon. I will most certainly be the first in the queue, even if it is just to try this Chocolate Marshmallow Slab....drool!!!

All I want for Christmas is...

... a diamond encrusted wedding dress made from a mile of tulle, held up by a 20 hooped underskirt, adorned with silver christmas bauble decorations, complete with two nappies on my hips to hold up the 15 stone weight and followed by a dozen bridesmaids in sickly sweet baby pink puffballs.

Oh and of course a groom who's spent the morning of his wedding day in the pub and can only be cajoled up the aisle after a skinful of booze!

   All images © 2011 Channel 4

 

I'm off to give Thelma a call to discuss some designs!

A Real Wedding: Klaire & Daniel

I have a special real wedding for you today all the way from Leicester. Klaire and Daniel's elegant wedding with a quirky twist was held at the City Rooms, a stunning Georgian building in the heart of the city which is licensed for civil ceremonies. 

The City Rooms has a choice of several boutique rooms which can host everything from a small intimate wedding to a more grand and lavish affair.

Klaire and Daniel's wedding was shot by Enlight Wedding Photography who beautifully captured their day. I really love that Klaire and Daniel made the most of the location by taking a stroll through the city between the ceremony and reception. And can you believe that Klaire made all the bouquets and floral decorations herself, wow!

 Congratulations Klaire and Daniel!

Images © 2005 - 2011 Enlight Wedding Photography  www.enlightweddingphotography.co.uk

Submit your real wedding by contacting Wed in London