Simply Royal: Pippa Middleton Replica Bridesmaid Dress!

Pippa Middleton stole the show and made headlines of her own after the Royal Wedding with 'that dress' and for the male population 'that bottom'!

The Original Pippa Dress

Brides all over the world began to not look for a replica of Kate's wedding dress but searched for a replica of Pippa's to be worn not as a bridesmaid dress but as a bride's dress. Well bride's need look no further as high street department store Debenhams has launched a replica of the £20,000 Alexander McQueen gown. The £170 cowl neck gown with cap sleeves and a long column of buttons running down the length of the back of the gown is a fabulous replica of the famous dress and is set to be a hit with bride's and bridemaids alike.

Debenhams recreate the Pippa Dress

Well done Debenhams for making it so affordable too!

Simply Special: Ribby Hall

Located in the heart of the Lancashire in more than 100 acres of countryside the delightful Ribby Hall is a venue we are thrilled to work so closely with. Their idyllic location is just 10 minutes drive from the beaches of Blackpool and Lytham St. Annes and only a short drive away from the city of Preston. Located in fabulous landscaped grounds they are licensed for civil ceremonies and can cater for receptions for up to 300 people. In addition to three wedding suites and a Summer House for outdoor ceremonies they also have luxury cottages, pine lodges and a new adult-only Spa Hotel.

   We decided to interview Ribby Hall's events team to bring to you lots of great information, inspiration and some great images to really give you a feel for what this exciting venue and its sparkling new spa have to offer..

What facilities does your venue boast?

-We are a village covering 106 acres and boast the following facilities:

-Conference & Banqueting centre with 3 large suites and 12 small conference suites

-Unique Tree House facility for meetings 

-Wide range of accommodation, detailed below

-9 hole golf course

-Mini golf

-Sports & Leisure Centre – swimming pool, badminton, tennis, squash, over 70 fitness classes and gym. 

-Equestrian Centre 

-Entertainment venues – Bar & Grill, Harrisons Bar

-Dining facilities – The Restaurant, Bar & Grill, Starbucks, The Bistro and Papa Johns

Does your hotel cater for weddings?  If so, what numbers can you accommodate and what packages do you offer?

Our Banqueting Centre is perfect for weddings, we have 3 suites – The Garden Room, The Rowan Suite & the Woodland Suite. We also have the facility for outdoor ceremonies in the Summer House. We have a range of wedding packages available, depending on time of year and guest numbers. We can accommodate up to 350 guests.

What about events, both large and small, what numbers can you accommodate?

We can accommodate events with numbers from 50 – 360.

Can guests stay over at your venue?  What accommodation is on offer?

Yes guests can stay on the village we have the following available:

-New 5* Spa Hotel, adult only with 42 bedrooms

-174 cottages accommodating up to 6 guests per cottage

-6 Scandinavian pine lodges accommodating up to 6 guests, including outdoor hot tub

-The Motel, including 8 suites accommodating 2 people. 

-The White House – luxury House accommodating up to 14 guests, including outdoor hot tub

-The Coach House – Luxury House accommodating up to 12 guests

     Tell us about your food/ menus/ wines...

All our menus are created using locally sourced, fresh produce. We also grow our own fruit & vegetables in the Ribby Garden. We can accommodate any dietary requirements and can work with any customer to build their own perfect menu. We have an array of wine, specifically tasted and chosen by our food & beverage managers to ensure that all customers have lots of fine wines to choose from.

       

Do you have any sporting/ spa/ golf facilities on site?

Yes we have a 9 hole golf course, mini golf and a New 5* Spa Hotel.

What sets your venue apart from others?

We are a unique venue with lots to offer, Guests don’t just come here for the day; they stay for the whole weekend and enjoy the whole village experience.

Anything special that we should know about the venue?

-New multi million pound Spa Hotel

-3 amazing suites that suit different styles & tastes

-Civil ceremonies, including outdoor in our Summer House

-We grow our own fruit & vegetables in the Ribby Garden

-Locally sourced produce for all menus

-Male & female orientated activities on site, perfect for pre & post wedding get togethers      

-Heavy social calendar- see website for more details

Where can we get more information/ read more/ contact the venue? (web address and contact details)

www.ribbyhall.co.uk/weddings

01772 685858

Simply Exciting: Finalist in The 2012 Wedding Industry Awards

The Wedding Industry Awards recognise and reward excellence in wedding suppliers across 19 categories, both regionally and nationally and Simply Bows and Chair Covers are thrilled to be announced as finalists in the Northern Region Category for Special Touches.

  

We would like to say a BIG thanks to all our brides who voted for us! Not only are we thrilled that we excelled your expectations on your big day but are also very grateful that you took the time to go online and vote for us too... it is very much appreciated.

Now we just have to keep our fingers and toes crossed until the end of the month when the winners will be announced!

Simply Supplier Spotlight: The FABULOUS Peggy Porschen Cakes.. Yuuuummmm

This week Simply Bows and Chair Covers are delighted to give you a sneek peek into the fabulous cake-tastic world of Peggy Porschen Cakes where taste and breathtakingly gorgeous design go hand-in-hand with impeccable service. From the most exquisite wedding cakes to tailor-made celebration confections, Peggy creates irresistible works of art suited to every special occasion....

Peggy Porschen- London

In a nutshell- what do Peggy Porschen do? 

We make Cakes and Confectionary and offer Baking and Decorating Master Classes

  How and why did the company begin?

Fascinated by baking and cake decorating from childhood, I (Peggy) moved from my home in Germany to London in 1998 to study at the internationally renowned cookery school Le Cordon Bleu. After successfully completing ‘The Grand Diploma of Cuisine & Patisserie’, I worked as a pastry chef at London's Lanesborough Hotel and celebrated caterer Rhubarb Food Design, followed by a position as cake decorator for German master-baker Gerhard Jenne, proprietor of Konditor & Cook.

Quickly developing my own style, I set up my own business in 2003 and founded Peggy Porschen Cakes, a bespoke design company that not only reflected my life-long love of baking but also celebrates beautiful craftsmanship, inspired by romance, fashion and femininity. Delightedly I have since become one of the most prominent and pioneering names in contemporary cake design renowned among my peers for my romanticism through my work.

Are you married?

Yes to my Business partner Bryn.

 

  Why do brides come to you?

Renowned for irresistibly pretty and elegant designs that are not only visually stunning but also taste delicious, we have acquired an enviable client list including many celebrities, Royals and members of high society. Our cookies and cakes have graced many A-list events such as Elton John’s White Tie & Tiara Ball, Stella McCartney’s wedding, Sir Anthony Hopkins’ 70th birthday, Damien Hirst’s auction at Sotheby’s and parties for Sting & Trudie Styler, Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow, all of which make her us a sought after supplier on the party-planning circuit. 

Peggy’s cakes are highly recommended by London’s foremost venues including the Savoy, Claridge’s, The Ritz, The Dorchester and The Mandarin Oriental. She is also consistently chosen by the UK's leading wedding planners, florists and event designers.

What is your favourite design and why?

My cravings change with the seasons but at the moment I am obsessing over my sticky toffee cupcakes which are sold in the Parlour, they are incredibly comforting, with a gooey toffee centre and nutty sponge - I just can’t resist. My all-time favourite design is easily my own wedding cake which was perfect. It was absolutely beautiful, elegant and incredibly pretty, intricate without being over the top, the classic and traditional was softened with a satin bow. I designed it and one of my team made it for me. It tied in perfectly with the wedding and was actually inspired by my laser cut wedding stationary and flowers.

 

What is your most popular item an why?

Our wedding cakes, because they taste delicious and look beautifully elegant

 

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I’m a really typical girl! I love anything pretty, dainty or feminine. Anything can inspire me from fashion to vintage tea cups or stationary – just whatever catches my eye.

 What is in store for you in 2012?

At the moment life is pretty hectic, the Peggy Porschen Parlour has opened in London’s Belgravia, it’s going really well but certainly keeping me and the team busy. It was always a dream to have my own shop and offer my cakes to people on an everyday basis, I have also created my own home wares & cake accouterments range and a collection of jams and loose leaf teas – all inspired by the ingredients used in my kitchen. I also opened the Peggy Porschen Academy this year just across the road from the parlour, I am looking forward to teaching all year round and offering a range of different classes and courses, to suit every proficiency level. Meanwhile the bespoke design side of the business continues to thrive, especially with the recent addition of our bridal boutique – a space dedicated to one-on-one consultation and tasting for those wishing to commission a bespoke Peggy Porschen design. I will have a new book out early next year in time for Spring which I am really excited about!

Who would be your dream client, and what sort of design would you envisage for them?

We have actually just had the dream bride – Kate Moss. Effortlessly stylish and she knew exactly what she wanted which made it much easier for me! The cake was a perfect reflection of her Great Gatsby theme and was intricately detailed and yet very understated. A beautiful cake for a beautiful woman.

What would be your top tips for brides when searching for a supplier in your industry? 

I would look at the Chef's training and experience as well as examples of past work and customer testimonies. I would be sure to look at actual examples of work rather than just images as these can often hide a cake's short comings. Also very importantly I would ask for tasting samples, any decent cake maker will offer these without hesitation.

Where are you based and where can you supply?

London, we can deliver to London and surrounding areas, further afield is decided on a case by case basis.

How can I get in touch to discuss my requirements or place an order?

Peggy Porschen Cakes

116 Ebury Street

London

SW1W 9QQ

Tel: 0207 7301 316

info@peggyporschen.com

 Huge thanks to the lovely ladies at Peggy Porschen for sharing these beautiful images and stories with us.

Simply Themed: Bonfire Night

A Simply Bows and Chair Covers Party is no ordinary party! This bonfire night Simply Bows MD Sarah Pittendrigh threw a Bonfire Night themed 40th birthday bash and we thought we would share some photo's with you for a little event dressing inspiration....

The Riverside Suite at The Baltic

Black chair covers with tied with vibrant Firework Orange Sashes

Fabulous table centres by Wedding Flowers For You were made up of pumpkins, foliage, fireworks and candles and displayed on a Pintuck Taffetta Burnt Orange table runner

Black chair covers were matched with black table linen and alternate napkins of orange and black were provided

Fire lamps and uplighting were used to create a Bonfire Night feel with warm shades or reds and oranges bouncing off every wall and surface. A right firecracker of a night was had by all!

Simply Excited: We are nominated for a Wedding Ideas Magazine Award- Please vote for us!

Nominations have been announced for the National Wedding Ideas Awards 2012! With a strong six-year history, they have become the biggest consumer wedding awards in the UK, with thousands of brides voting for their favourite wedding companies so we are thrilled to be one of this years nominees for the Special Touches category. 

Voting is open between 2nd and 30th of November and, this year, you only have to vote for the categories you are familiar with. The winners will be announced at a glamorous awards ceremony in London in January, but right now please visit the Wedding Ideas website and vote for us today!

Simply Unique Setting: Beach Wedding in the UK?

In Britain the law states that ceremonies may only take place in a 'permanent covered building'. Our brides and grooms therefore have somewhat more restrictions than couples getting wed overseas.

Beach weddings now possible in the UK

Recently however Bornemouth Borough Council has granted permission for couples to tie the knot in a 'permenant covered building' which is just 16ft by 8ft and is better known to most as a 'beach hut' on the resort's seaside. 



Beach Hut on Bournemouth Beach



Melanie Kiani, director of Bellissimo Wedding Planners, which is the operating the venue, said: 'This is an absolutely amazing opportunity for prospective couples. Never before has it been possible to conduct a legal, civil ceremony on the beach in this country, we think it will be phenomenally popular'.

  

 So who will follow suit? By this time next year we envisage more and more ocean loving brides and grooms will be tieing the knot on beaches all over the UK as local councils come on board and follow suit. It's a shame we don't have the same weather as some of our European neighbours but you can't deny we don't have some equally beautiful coastline's.



Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland