I'M MOVING

This little blog of mine is starting to outgrow blogger so I have moved it over to wordpress and its own domain.

www.wedinlondon.com

I hope you'll join me over on the new and improved site!

Shoe Love

While helping the lovely Wedding Sparrow yesterday in a search for shoes for her bridesmaids I came across these little stunners from Sam Edelman. Now I'm all for the quirk factor when it comes to wedding shoes but are stud and jewel embellished peeptoes taking it a bit too far? Or do you think I can rock the edgy bride look?

Either way these belong in my wardrobe so I best start saving my pennies!

Hampton Court House

This area of South West London may be more famously known for a certain sprawling palace, but Hampton Court House is coming out of the shadow of its well-known neighbour and becoming an acclaimed wedding venue in its own right. This Georgian mansion and its enchanting gardens are completely surrounding by parkland and offer total exclusivity and privacy on your big day.

Hampton Court House is licensed for civil ceremonies of up to 112 people. The dining room can hold a sit-down dinner for up to 150 and the grounds can accommodate a large marquee seating up to 400 guests. At the other end of the spectrum, the curiously named Shell Grotto can host an intimate dinner for 2 to 10 people.

If Hampton Court House has caught your eye as a possible venue then click here to view their wedding brochure.


All images are © Hampton Court House www.hchevents.com

Inbal Dror

Hello and Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas. If you are anything like me then you too will be regretting the vat of wine, tins of roses and slabs of cheese consumed over the past week! Its back to the diet and exercise grindstone now or I'll never fit into that gorgeous bridesmaids dress for Becky's wedding in May.

So to distract me from the tedium of lettuce leaves and green tea I have some absolutely stunning dresses to show you today. Thank you to my lovely friend Clare for bringing the incredible designs of Inbal Dror to my attention.

 

Trailing skirts and super low backs are a running theme throughout this Israeli designer's collection. Every single dress exudes contemporary elegance and each would make the perfect gown for a modern bride.

The pearl draped straps on this dress are simply divine. So far I cannot find a stockist outside of Israel but if anyone knows otherwise please please let me know!


All images are © Inbal Dror www.inbaldror.co.il

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!!!