Blake Hall

I have some favourite venue's across London and the South East and I thought I'd share one with you, Blake Hall near Ongar in Essex. If you are looking for a barn style venue then look no further that this little gem.

I very well laid out barn with the bar and dance floor all in the same room and the gorgeous outside terrace area for drinks. They are licensed for civil ceremonies and weatehr permitting have renovated the saddlery to hold wedding ceremonies.

Plenty of photo opportunites exist around the barn and in the beautiful gardens at Blake Hall but the reason why this venue is so fabulous is the staff. They couldn't be nicer and more helpful, nothing is too much trouble for the team at Blake Hall. Every wedding is completely bespoke and unique, which is exactly how it should be.

Flowers in Church

If you are getting married in church or even if you are having a civil ceremony, what sort of flowers are you going to have? I have met many brides that choose not to decorate the church mainly because of cost. However if you have a got a good florist she will move your flowers from the church to your reception venue afterwards. That way not only do you save some money but you also get to look at the beautiful flowers they have made for you all day.

I recently helped a fellow wedding planner with a large wedding she had coordinated and the florist did just that. I have to say she moved pretty quick to get them out of the church and to the bride's parent's house where the wedding was being held but they looked absolutely stunning.

 Flowers by Jade's Flowers www.jadesflowers.co.uk
wedding planner Essex www.just-bespoke.com

Bad Weather. What to do?

The weather so far this Summer has been rather disappointing to say the least, and as I write this it is absolutely pooring down in Essex. I find myself worrying as every weekend comes around, thinking of my poor brides. You can plan everything for your wedding down to the finest detail but you cannot plan the weather.

What you can do is be prepared. How?? When you are choosing your venue, look for indoor photo opportunities, so that whatever happens outside you will have plenty of places to go to get some lovely photos.

Think about some lovely umbrellas. You can get some really pretty wedding umbrellas which you can provide at your church or venue. If you are having your wedding in a marquee, at home what about white wellies. You certainly won't get muddy feet with these on.

There are also a few logistical things to think about if you are having a marquee at your home and the weather can affect them. Parking for your guests, try to have an alternative to a soggy field, otherwise they might be there for a while! Where are your portable toilets going to be located? think about an undercover walkway to them or if you can't do that don't have them too far away in which case an umbrella will be fine. You can also get some fabulous ones now that can be in a different section of your marquee.

You can't plan the weather but you can makes some contingency plans should it rain.

 Credits
www.shoeawa.com
ladywithawhitedress.blogspot.com
elliesweddingaccesories.com
www.weddingsgo.co.uk
alyssajulblog.com

The Royal Chase Hotel, Enfield

Last month I was invited by Emma, the new business and development manager to have a show round of The Royal Chase Hotel on The Ridgeway in Enfield. Now I've driven past this hotel a million times but never been in before and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw.
The hotel is set quite high up with breathtaking views across the Hertfordshire countryside. There are three suites in which to hold your wedding reception or party, all three are licensed for civil ceremonies.
The hotel has a very boutique feel. It's family owned and I think because of that it has a very cosy feel. There is a large suite holding up to 200 people with a huge dance floor, its own large bar area, outside terrace and entrance, so even if there was another event at the hotel, you'd never know as you are completely self contained. Then there is the suite, which again has its own bar, outside terrace and separate lounge area and finally the pavillion which is outside and I absolutley loved this as there is so much you could do with it interms of decor and styling. Perfect for an outdoor Summer wedding or party.
The hotel has a bar, refurbished restaurant and an outdoor pool, plus lovely gardens so plenty of photo opportunities. I left the venue with hundreds of ideas running through my head and I can't wait to show clients around it.