Simply an event not to be missed! Jenny Packham: Bridal Designer Day In the North East

Jenny Packham have an exclusive designer day coming up at Bridal Wish this February! This is one not to be missed! Jenny Packham is one of our favourite designers and I'm sure this collection showcase will be fabulous!

To view the 2014 collection showreel just click below!

http://www.jennypackham.com/pages/ss14-bridal-campaign-film

Simply Stunning: An amazing real wedding with a fabulous vintage theme!

What are your first names? 

Kris and Ali

Where and when did you get engaged? 

On 9thOct 2012 (Ali’s birthday) on the millennium bridge in Newcastle after a lovely birthday meal at the Baltic restaurant.

What was your wedding date? 

29.10.13

Where did you get married? 

Newton Hall

Why did you choose your venue? 

Its quirky style, individuality, something a bit different. It matched everything we love – not everything matching or too ‘wedding’ like. I just love all things vintage and I knew that our ideal wedding would fit into the venue perfectly. We just knew we wanted to get married there the minute we saw it!

Did you have a “theme”? 

Yes – all things vintage – myself and my mum trailed through second hand and vintage shops for a year! It was great fun. We went mad for doilies, china, cut glass and lace….. We wanted things to match but not ‘be matching’!!

What was your wedding colour scheme? 

We wanted to stay very neutral. Although I am an art teacher I am really not one for bold, vivid or bright colours …. I love everything to just ‘tie in’ and not match. I think that everything becomes more interesting this way – there is more to look at without one dominating colour! The nude pink lace bridesmaid dresses were just perfect and they set the tone for the whole day. The centre pieces all mis-matched but stayed within the nude scheme!

Why did you choose Simply Bows and Chair Covers and what were they like to work with? 

We saw a stand at a wedding fair at Alnwick Gardens and we were drawn straight away to the beautiful display. I knew exactly what I wanted and these guys had it! The minute we started talking to Janine I knew that she understood just want we wanted. We went for sheer nude bows – we didn’t want to cover the gorge chairs at Newton Hall up with white chair covers – they looked amazing!

What sort of dress did you choose and where from? 

I chose a vintage style corded lace dress by Justin Alexander. It was from a beautiful bridal boutique – ‘Bridal Wish’. Wendy was just amazing and I really loved the whole process.She made me feel like an absolute princess every time we visited, The dress was so perfect so me … it was so easy to wear and comfortable but was the exact lace I wanted and I felt great in it! I got so many compliments all day!!!!

What did your bridesmaids wear? 

They wore nude pink lace gowns. They were by ‘Ariella’ and from House of Fraser. I’m really not keen on typical satin bridesmaid dresses but the minute I saw these with my two gorgeous bridesmaids we all loved them! It’s all about the lace!!!

Who was your photographer? 

SDS Photography. Sarah-Jane and Simon are good friends of ours and they did the most perfect job of capturing our big day. We love the photo journalistic style as it tells a story of our special day. We love the images.

What “special touches” did you add to your day? 

We did everything ourselves. Myself and my mum are Art Teachers so apart from the bows (for which I handed over my trust to Janine) we did absolutely everything. My mum even did our really complex centre pieces on the morning of the wedding because we didn’t trust everyone else! We used lots of special family heirlooms to really personalise our wedding. We spent ages tying lace around jam jars, designing menus, stamping names, and generally being creative it was so much fun! I also made a beautiful brooch bouquet. I used some old family brooches as well as some I picked up in second hand shops – I cant stop looking at it even now!

What was your favourite part of the day? 

Kris and I just loved every part of our day. We can’t pick out one particular bit apart from becoming Mr and Mrs in front of all our closest family and friends that it! It feels amazing being husband and wife and that’s what its all about!

Where did you go on honeymoon? 

We haven’t been yet …. But we’re going to Mexico in April….this is what happens when you are restricted to school holidays!!!

What would be your top tip for another bride to be? 

Make your wedding perfect and everything you dream it to be. Have a vision in your mind and do everything you can to make it happen. I did and it was just perfect for Kris and I…… And just enjoy your day – everyone says it but it all goes so quickly so just have a great time…..

Simply an exclusive invitation to inspiration.....

This is your personal invitation to a relaxed afternoon of bridal inspiration!

SUNDAY 26TH JANUARY 2014, NOON – 3PM
ELITE WEDDING OPEN DAY
The Croft Hotel
Croft-on-Tees, Darlington, DL2 2ST

The Croft Hotel is a Grade II Listed Hotel situated near Darlington in the picturesque village of Croft-on-Tees. Under new management and fully refurbished, the Hotel re-launched on the 9th February 2013 providing a beautiful, stylish, new Wedding Suite for the Darlington area...

Enjoy a welcome drink and delicious canapés as you view the Grade II listed hotel in all its splendour. Meet a handpicked selection of local suppliers ready to discuss your very individual requirements including Flowers By Nattrass, Simply Bows & Chair Covers, Dirk Van Der Werff Photography, Carlton Couture Bridal, Greenwood Menswear, Sara's Kitchen, Silverbirch Designs, Shoot to Fame PhotoBooth Hire, Supercar Weddings and more including live performances from Alexander Lomas!!

Talk to the experienced event staff who will be able to show you around, answer and questions and check available dates...See the Dining Room dressed for an elegant wedding breakfast in stunning navy and gold and discuss wedding planning packages with Dawn Marie including the Marriage Rehearsal option covering all your questions about civil ceremonies.

OPEN NOON - 3PM

Admission and parking free, complimentary reception drinks and canapés.

Another exclusive event by Dawn Marie Wedding & Event Design, leading the way with Elite Wedding Events in the north-east...

Simply Inspirational....

Our Managing Director Sarah Pittendrigh has joined former BBC Apprentice Claire Young, School Speakers Agency. 

Sarah will be available to hire for speaking engagements where she will share her in-depth knowledge with students of what it takes to be an entrepreneur running a Multi Award Winning Business. 

You can view Sarah's profile here http://www.schoolspeakers.co.uk/speaker-listings/sarah-pittendrigh

Simply Bows and Chair Covers Real Life Bride Jess and her Langley Castle wedding!

What are your first names? 

Jessica and Robert

 

Where and when did you get engaged? 

Top of Rockefeller certre new York on the 26 of November 2012

What was your wedding date? 

22^nd November 2013

 

 Where did you get married? 

Langley castle

 

Why did you choose your venue? 

We have both worked at Langley Castle for a long time and that is also how we met!

 

Did you have a “theme”?

Not really, it was more about our colour scheme :)

 

What was your wedding colour scheme? 

 Gold and burgandy

 

 Why did you choose Simply Bows and Chair Covers and what were they like to work with? 

We chose Kristy is a friend of mine after she herself worked at Langley Castle before buying a Simply Bows and Chair Covers franchise and also because I get to see first hand the quality of their work as I work on the wedding side of things at Langley Castle daily! Kristy was lovely to work with as always!

 

What sort of dress did you choose and where from? 

It was a lace dress with full skirt from Mia Sposa

 

What did your bridesmaids wear? 

Burgundy dresses by Dessy

 

 

Who was your photographer? 

Alan Mason

What “special touches” did you add to your day?  

We took Langley Castle on on an exclusive basis so that it was completely private and nobody could enter venue unless a guest!

 

 What was your favourite part of the day?  

All of it!! But we could really relax and dance in the evening!

 

Where did you go on honeymoon? 

The Vineyard Hotel for two nights then on the Queen Mary 2 cruise liner to Bruge and Paris. 

 

What would be your top tip for another bride to be? 

Relax, don’t stress too much and enjoy every moment because its your number one day!!

 

 

Simply a Franchise in Focus: Meet Joanne from Lancashire

Introduce yourself and your area...

I’m Joanne, 25 from Lancashire and cover from the likes of Fleetwood, Preston and the Ribble valley right down to Chorley.

What is your background?

I graduated from Liverpool Hope University in 2009 with a BA (Hons) in Law & Business. Since then, I have worked as the Food & Beverage Manager at a prestigious venue in the Ribble Valley and more recently, as the Manager of a Restaurant and Hotel chain. These roles formed my enthusiasm for organising weddings and events, which led to the Simply Bows & Chair Covers franchise opportunity and I have never looked back.

Why did you take a franchise with Simply Bowsand Chair Covers?

I have always loved organising and working at weddings but I also knew that I wanted to work for myself.  Initially I thought that this would be through being a wedding planner but after research I came across Simply Bows and Chair Covers.  From working in weddings day in day out, I knew that there was definitely a market in Lancashire for high quality made to measure chair covers and linen, as the covers I always came across were ill fitted, dirty and made of cheap fabric.  

Why do you love working for yourself?

Working for myself means that I can be a bit more flexible with my working hours.  If I have other commitments during the day I can always work in the evening or vice versa (once all my weddings have been attended to of course!).  I also love the fact that every day brings something different.  Over the last few years I have appeared on TV as a ‘wedding expert’, been invited to many a Charity Ball or Dinner Dance and met some fantastic people.

Why do you love being a Simply Bows and Chair Covers franchisee?

Since day 1, the support network of Simply Bows and Chair Covers has been second to none, both from head office and the other girls.  Our team meetings are invaluable for advice, motivation and general help.  I often get asked why I didn’t set up alone, but without the reputation, support network and fantastic website that we have at Simply Bows and Chair Covers I very much doubt I would be where I am today with the business.

Where do you see you, and your franchisee in 1 years time and also 3 years time?

1 year: I want to increase my events by 20% on 2013, which I am so far on track to do.  I also wish to take on a hotel linen contract and be in the packages of 2 more major hotels and recommended in 20 further venues across Lancashire.

3 years: In 3 years time I wish to be completing 250 events per year, in packages of 4 major hotels and recommended in 50% of the venues in Lancashire.
And of course I want to still be enjoying what I do... I'm sure I will be! :)

High Street Wedding Fashion....

Another fabulous high street brand, Phase Eight are introducing a new wedding collection. Their new range is available online now and in stores from the end of January.

The vintage inspired collection matches exquisite detailing with a contemporary silhouette to offer feminine elegance and delicate charm. Vintage inspired lace designs, floral applique and fringing add personality to their new designs and we think they're all fabulous!