Simply Sea, Sun and Sand- Life's a Beach Photoshoot!

Several weeks ago the uber talented Katie Byram's photoshoot of many, many weeks planning took place at Marsden Grotto and you guessed it... the theme was Beach Weddings! The shoot was created to prove an inspiration to bride's to be and involved many of the North East's finest suppliers. We were delighted to take part and thought we would share some of the images with you today.....

Katie Byram Photography http://www.photographybykatie.co.uk/

Sally Thurrell Photography http://www.sallytphotography.com/  (Behind the scenes photography and video) 

Marsden Grotto - Venue - http://www.marsden-grotto.co.uk/

Y.A.P Bridal - Dresses - http://www.yapbridal.co.uk/ 
Fern Event Florists - Bouquets and corsages http://www.fernonline.co.uk/ 
Bridal Designs Wedding Jewellery - Necklace & bracelets - http://www.bridaldesignsweddingjewellery.co.uk/ 
By Gina  - Headpieces - http://www.bygina.co.uk/ 
Blades Formal Menswear - Suits & mens shoes - http://www.bladesformalmenswear.co.uk/ 
Sweet Pea Events  - Deck chairs, picnic basket, wedding signs, parasol - http://www.sweetpea-events.co.uk/  
Make Up By Jo - Make up - http://makeupbyjo.co.uk/ 
Lisa Cameron - Hair - http://www.lisacameron.co.uk/ 

Simply Bows and Chair Covers  - Tables and chair styling  - Kristy Giblin of http://www.simplybowsandchaircovers.co.uk/  
Little Bundles Bunting - Handmade bunting - http://www.little-bundles.co.uk/ 
By Wendy Bespoke Stationery - Stationery, table plan and favours - http://www.by-wendy.com/ 
Crystal Wishing Trees By Wendy - Wishing tree and decorations - http://www.crystalwishingtrees.co.uk/ 
Little Town Bakery - Cake - https://www.facebook.com/littletownbakery 
Candy Buffet Studio  - Candy buffet and cake push pops - http://www.candybuffetstudio.co.uk/ 
Crown Studio, Rothbury - Handmade ceramic love hearts - http://www.crownstudio.co.uk/ 
Just Perfect Wedding and Events Gallery  - Organisation and planning. - http://www.just-perfect-uk.co.uk/ 

Models:
Marie Jensen- http://www.tasteofcairo.com/marie.php    
Adam Stonebanks - http://www.modelfolio.info/adamstonebanks/
Philip McCoy - http://www.modelmayhem.com/philmccoy  
Constance Peach - http://www.constancepeach.co.uk/   

Simply Radio Gaga!

This week Simply Bows and Chair Covers MD Sarah spoke to Radio Tees! Hear more here... http://www.nikfox.info/files/SimplyBowsTees.mp3

Simply Vintage Elegance!

Last month our lovely Joanne who heads up our Lancashire Office took part in a beautiful shoot we thought we would share with you...

The shoot was commisioned by Pure Weddings Magazine to a freelance journalist (aka Jan from Pretty Tellings), she wanted to show that vintage can be done with elegance in a classical way with out going over the top... The shoot took place at the lovely Etrop Grange Hotel.

Cakes by Cakes By Beth (www.cakesbybeth.co.uk)

Dress by Erica Stacey (www.ericastacey.co.uk)

Photography by Alex D Photography (www.alexdphotography.co.uk)

Staionary by Doodle Love (www.doodlelove.etsy.com)

Flowers by Laurel Weddings (www.laurelweddings.com)

Silver Horseshoe by Silver Sixpence In Her Shoe (www.silver-sixpence-in-her-shoe.co.uk)

Styling by Pretty Telling (www.prettytelling.wordpress.com)

Simply Fabulous: The beautiful Eshott Hall

What is your venue name, industry rating and where is your venue located?

Eshott Hall

Morpeth

Northumberland

NE65 9EN

We are a 5* Country House Hotel

What facilities does your venue boast

Exclusive use of a country house hotel

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

Yes, we can accommodate up to 100 daytime guests and 120 evening guests. We offer a two day exclusive use package. This includes all 11 bedrooms in our hall, our annexed rooms in Dove Cottage and exclusive use of the venue for two days. You also get an hearty supper for 32 guests the night before your wedding with pre-dinner drinks and canapés.

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

We can offer private dining in our two dining rooms from 8-24 guests. We can cater for large events of up to 100 guests from birthday parties to corporate events. We also offer Sunday Lunches and Afternoon Teas – advanced bookings are essential.

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

Yes, we have 11 bedrooms in our main house; each room is beautifully and uniquely decorated. We have 5 annexed bedrooms in our newly furbished Dove Cottage. We also have three holiday cottages on our grounds that are available to rent throughout the year.

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

Our restaurant offers a la carte dining, our dishes are traditional with a contemporary twist. Our chefs source the majority of our ingredients locally and even grow some of the vegetables used in our own walled garden.

We also offer Sunday Lunches; our menu is changed weekly and is priced at £22 per person for a 3 course meal.

Our afternoon teas are a lovely treat, for £12.50 per person you can have finger sandwiches, scones with jam and cream as well as cakes. You can add a glass of champagne for an additional £6.95 per person.

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

No but we do have our own tennis courts.

What sets your venue apart from others?

We are a small, intimate country house hotel set in the beautiful Northumbrian countryside. We are located quite centrally, only 20 minutes from Alnwick or Morpeth and 40 minutes from Newcastle City Centre.

Where can we get more information/ read more/ contact the venue?

Email us at info@eshotthall.co.uk or phone our office and talk to our on 01670 787454. You can find more information on our website www.eshotthall.co.uk

Simply Memorable: Breathtaking photography

What is company name?

Pete Hudson Photography

What is your line of business?

Timeless and contemporary Wedding Photography

How and why the company begin?

            I have a lifetime passion for photography and have been taking photographs professionally for a number of years on the lifestyle and corporate side. A few years ago a friend asked me to be their wedding photographer and I jumped at the chance. From this one wedding I went on to receive so many enquiries from brides who loved my photos that I set up my own business, Pete Hudson Photography, and now find myself shooting happy couples most weekends.

Are you married? If so tell us a little about your wedding….

            I married my beautiful wife Sarah in August 2008. We wanted our marriage and reception to reflect our fun and relaxed style and, after a moving ceremony in an 18th century chapel surrounded by family, friends, and our son Jack, we all celebrated long into the night in an award winning country pub. We spent a lot of time making our wedding really personal with lots of homemade touches and chose rosemary to decorate the church as it signifies remembrance. On the stroke of midnight we let off Chinese lanterns into the clear night sky which provided the perfect end to our perfect day. 

Why do brides come to you?

            My brides are all individuals but what they do have in common is a desire for stunning and contemporary wedding photographs which perfectly reflect their big day, and capture their memories beautifully and forever. I spend a lot of time getting to know all my couples well in advance of their wedding so that they can fully relax on the day knowing I will photograph their day exactly as they want it.

            At Pete Hudson photography we pride ourselves in providing beautiful photographs in  whatever high quality format our couples require, be that a handcrafted leather bound album or a high resolution digital files on a USB stick / DVD, or both. I firmly believe that our success is down to the full package we are able to offer our couples, from the complimentary pre-wedding shoot, to the time we spend selecting their shots together after the wedding, right through to delivering their dream wedding photos to share with family and friends.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

            I genuinely believe that a lot of my inspiration comes from the wonderful chemistry between the couples that I have the pleasure of photographing. So often the best images are those intimate images I capture without the couple and their guests noticing I'm there, those magical moments are often the photos people treasure the most.

            In terms of other photographers I am very lucky to have a large network of fellow professionals from whom I can draw inspiration. Two particular photographers whosework I particularly admire are Brett Harkness and Zach Hodges who are both enormously inspirational and who set the bar extremely high in creative wedding photography.

What is in store for you in 2013?

This season is extremely busy with lots of exciting developments for Pete Hudson Photography. I have recently launched a fantastic new service for brides (and couples) called 'Rock the Frock' which allows them to dress up in their wedding dress after the big day and go to some stunning locations where we create beautiful shots together. This allows them to be really creative and have some fun with photography without any of the stresses and time pressures of the wedding day itself. This service is receiving an amazing response and, as a photographer, is a chance to shoot some truly memorable images. 

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

            My dream clients would be:

•   Completely in Love

•   Fun-Loving and  open to innovative ideas

•   Not too camera shy

            That’s it - when those three things come together, I can capture the magic of a wedding day to the best of my ability (with a little help from the weather gods).

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

            Wedding photographs last a lifetime should be something for you to cherish, evoking all those wonderful memories of your day every time you look at them. Not everyone with a camera is a photographer so make sure you do your research, the cheapest option is often not the best and you should expect to pay for beautiful photographs. Firstly I would encourage you to look at a number of photographers and photography styles until you  find someone you feel reflects yours and your partners personalities and vision for your big day. Secondly, look at their past wedding portfolios and check references from their other couples, any good photographer should be happy to show you these. Finally, speak          to the photographer and make sure you get on and want them to capture your day.  And remember, many photographers will be happy to create a bespoke package for you to meet your specific requirements so do ask what they can do for you within your budget.

Tell us something super interesting about you or your business that we wouldn’t already know...

             During a typical wedding day, I shoot 2,500 photographs on 54GB of memory cards. I use 2 x Digital SLR’s and carry 5 specialist lenses with me at all times.

             I can also make two noises at the same time with my mouth... ;-)

 

Where are you based and where can you supply?

            I am based in Cheshire but travel across the UK and abroad free of charge. This year alone I have weddings as far apart as London and Oslo! I also offer unlimited hours on the day itself and no limit on the time I spend with my couples before and after the wedding. 

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

We would be delighted to hear from you to discuss your ideas. We love to chat to brides and can be contacted on 07864 226 790. Please take a look at our fantastic website http://www.petehudsonphotography.com where you will find some beautiful recent weddings and reviews from our lovely couples, as well as details of the packages we can offer. You can also find us on Facebook... www.petehudsonphotography.com/facebook and Twitter.... @petehudsonphoto

Why do you like to work with Simply Bows and Chair Covers?

            For me, Simply Bows and Chair Covers represent the gold standard in wedding decoration. They are consummate professionals who offer a truly personal touch, a balance that so many businesses find elusive. They add the perfect touches to give couples weddings the wow factor and are an absolute pleasure to deal with.

Simply a helping hand! Brides to be- get social media savvy to help you plan your big day

As most of the Simply Bows and Chair Covers team have not only dressed numerous weddings we are also all married and bursting with ideas!

Every bride to be has ideas upon ideas and we are often asked our advice on various topics at consultations as you poor ladies are swamped with ideas and suggestions from numerous bridal mags, blogs and of course (sometimes helpful...sometimes annoying) friends and family! Some brides struggle for ideasNow how do you rein in your ideas and decide which paths to take?

Why not turn to the wonderful world of social media...? Sound scary? It's not...honest! Let us help you find your feet....

Facebook is just full of wedding suppliers from the small one man bands to renowned international suppliers. Spend time scouring their pages and most importantly their photo albums! Local suppliers if they are on the ball (like the Simply Bows and Chair Covers team) will have separated their photos albums in to themes and venues so you can easily look at past events in your chosen venue or colour scheme.

You could also use facebook as a tool for your own wedding guests- perhaps a group to inform guests of location details, nearby accomodation etc.

Twitter is the second best well know form of social media and can also be a great tool. Twitter folks are amazing.. you just need to put out a tweet for a recomendation for a particular service in your area and very quickly your tweet will get several answers and several retweets by those who dont have a personal reccomendation but would like to help! Give it a go! The power of twitter!

Blogs are fast becoming a Bride to be's best friend. There are a whole host of blogs out there specialising in wedding trends and ideas and one of our favourites is Brides up North for all Brides above the 'North South Divide'! Other great blog's are Love my Dress and of course the Simply Bows and Chair Covers Blog!

Forums are a great place to chat with other brides and supplier and help you not feel alone during your ups and downs of the wonderful world of wedding planning.

Pinterest is a fab online scrapbook where you can save photos and ideas from bits and bobs you have found in all of the above tools and collacte quickly and easily on one programme! Its AMAZING!

Happy hunting folks, we hope you are inspired!

For more great ideas and inspiration on your big day visit www.simplybowsandchaircovers.co.uk :)