The end of 2017 is fast approaching which means not only another year of weddings behind, but another year of weddings ahead of us and with a new year, comes new trends that we need to keep on top of. While there will of course be a wonderful array of wedding traditions we’ll always want to stick to, they’ll also be some fabulously new trends to take note of so let’s take a look.
Floral trends – next year’s focus looks to be about the vessels as well as the flowers themselves. From vintage to new pieces, coloured glass to geometric shapes and even concrete vessels. Remember, the bolder the better, so think pastel colours with a punch of colour, that’s if you want to play it safe anyway. 2018 will also be seeing a whole new take on romantic flowers too with flowers adorning more minimal gowns and veils. Think whimsical and you’re half way there. Last but not least, we’ll be seeing a rise in wedding wreaths as their popularity soars, becoming the alternative decoration of the year. Wispy grasses, eucalyptus and even wild flowers will make a lasting impression on your guests.
New food – modern couples are choosing to avoid the traditional three-course set menu and are instead opting for foods they love from sharing platters to food vans and even things such as portable pizza ovens. It’s safe to say that wedding food is certainly changing and will see an even bigger change in the year ahead. We also believe you’ll see a huge rise in alternative options such as Japanese, Indian and even Mexican inspired foods; think sushi, curries and burritos.
Invitations – invitations will certainly be getting a lot more creative as the year evolves, with designs becoming more elaborate. From the choice of material used such as fabric, Perspex and even more natural choices such as stone and wood. Then it lies in the designs that sit upon the new materials.
Black accents – for some, the idea of incorporating black into your big day seems almost sinful but black accents will most definitely be making a more prominent appearance this year and for good reason to. From a monochrome twist in terms of ribbon on your flowers to black accents on your wedding dress, there are so many ways in which you can incorporate a black accent. If you’re struggling however, take inspiration from the amazing Vera Wang.
Shorten the guest list – weddings used to be a very large affair but 2018 weddings will see a shrinkage in the size of guests. Weddings are undoubtedly becoming smaller with many couples opting to leave off distant relatives they haven’t seen for years. Intimate gatherings are taking the lead because not only does it mean the budget stretches further but you get to spend the cash on the areas you really want to instead of catering for extra seats.
If you’d like more information on our intimate weddings simply jump online today.
Unlike other aspects of your wedding, a wedding photographer isn’t something you can hear, smell or taste beforehand which makes picking the perfect photographer all the more daunting. It’s for this reason that careful research and selectiveness when it comes to skills and artistic style are hugely important when picking a wedding photographer. To make things easier, we thought we’d share our top tips…we hope this helps.
Decide on a style – before you start researching wedding photographers, it’s certainly worth thinking about the style you’re going for. This will help narrow down the search hugely and make things so much easier for you. So, what styles do we have? Well there’s documentary that offers a more candid and spontaneous insight. Instead of a series of posed photographs, you’ll receive more raw photos of guests digging into their food, laughing at the bar and dancing the night away on the dance floor with champagne in hand. These photos capture the moments as they happen, exactly as they happened too and they’ll tell a real time story. Then we have portraiture for those who prefer a classic portrait. This is much more traditional and ideal for those wanting posed shots against various backdrops. There is however, a little room for creativity within this style and the photographer will generally pick some fab spots during the ceremony or afterward for a few more relaxed shots, captured off guard to compliment the more formal shots. If you want something really different then we suggest you take a peek at some edgy and bold photography. Think of photos outside of the box, tilted angles and less than conventional framing; so instead of straight on shots of you saying “I do”, they may be tilted and offer a different angle entirely with a particular object such as a candle or flower taking centre stage.
Paul Grace Photography
Do your homework – it always pays to start your search by looking at previous interviews from recent happy couples as well as browsing local listings. Carefully review their websites and of course their previous work, as this will not only give you a greater insight into their style but their level of expertise too. You might also be able to pick up a few hints about their personality through the layout and choice of photos on their website. Is there feedback from clients on their Facebook page? What are their responses like? All of this is very telling and worth noting down.
Set up interviews – it’s hugely important to meet in person as a decision as important as this cannot be made on looks alone. If you like their website and their previous work then ask if they’re available on your wedding date and if so, meet for an interview. Be prepared to chat about the venue, its location, the greatest aspects of the venue and what you envision for your photos. Can they achieve the look? Are they happy to travel to your location etc. All of this is incredibly important.
Now of course, these are just a few hints and tips. We could quite literally chatter all day about what to consider but at the end of it all, it’s about how you feel. Do you get on with the photographer? Do you like their work and of course, are they available to attend your venue on your date? For our own recommendations of photographers, simply take a peek at our list of suppliers where you’ll find photographers who’ve not only worked at our venue before but have created some fabulous memories for happy couples too.
If you’d have asked yourself when you were younger what your favourite season was, no doubt you’d have chosen summer. Everyone loved the bright colours that inevitably came out, the warmer weather and of course let’s not forget school holidays. Fast forward to adulthood however, and we guarantee a fair few of you may have a different answer. It seems as we get older, our love of seasons can often change and we’re finding more and more, it’s reflected in the months people choose to say “I do”. Summer weddings will of course always be popular as people do their best to pin their hopes on the fickle British weather and let’s not forget a winter wedding; can we guarantee some snow? Here at That Amazing Place however, we’re starting to see that many are now opting for spring weddings. The pastel colours that we once disliked as a child appear to take on an entirely new appeal and what’s more, the cool air and refreshing sunlight that begins to peek out after a bleak winter looks all the more special. Which brings us to today’s piece in which we thought we’d focus on Spring Wedding Ideas (without those 90’s flashbacks) for your nuptials this spring at That Amazing Place.
Go Green – while spring is of course Peony season, flowers like this can often prove quite expensive so opting for arrangements that are mostly greenery can often be more affordable. They tend to look a lot more modern too. If you really want a glimpse of seasonal flowers, perhaps take a look at anemones, ranunculus and even tulips. Simple yet elegant.
Try Brunch – obviously you can host a brunch style wedding at any time of year but spring and brunch do very much go together. You’ll also find brunch foods are slightly more affordable too but don’t just take our word for it. Check out the fabulous lot at Magpie Catering or Premier Crew Hospitality.
Get Exciting With Your Pastels – we don’t mean you need to start dressing like an Easter basket! Think about spicing things up a little so stick with muted colours such as greyish purples instead of bright lavender and perhaps avoid the obvious yellows. You can also give yourself and your bridesmaids a much edgier appeal with rougher hair and flowers.
Flowers, Flowers Everywhere – it’s hard to avoid flowers when having a spring wedding and let’s face it, they are beautiful but that doesn’t mean you have to be obvious with it. Try placing your flowers in unexpected places that are really high-impact like the aisle runner during the ceremony and even the windows, at the bar. The options are endless. You could even try placing edible flowers on your desserts because let’s face it, flowers turn absolutely anything in décor.
Spring weddings really are a thing of beauty, as the cold weather starts to take a warmer turn and flowers begin to bloom; there’s nothing quite like it. For more information on our Spring wedding availability, simply contact us today.
Today we’re looking at the wonderful wedding day of Hattie and Rhys, who said their “I do’s” on September 16th of this year right here at That Amazing Place. Hattie and Rhys has been together for eight years when they married after meeting randomly on a weekend where they were both enjoying company with friends. After hitting it off in a pub garden, and thanks to a rather persistent friend, Rhys and Hattie kept in touch and the rest as they say is history. So here’s a peek into their wonderful day…
The Venue
Photo Credit: Expression Photography
With family coming from afar, it was hugely important that Hattie and Rhys found somewhere that felt like a home from home. Hattie explained, “Being able to arrive on the Friday and relax and stay for the duration of the weekend was a great addition to what we were after. After our first visit to view That Amazing Place, we got in the car, both looked at each other and smiled; we knew it was the place for us.” The beautiful surroundings, impeccable décor and of course the staff, were huge advantages to Hattie and Rhys and convinced them quite easily that our Essex wedding venue was the one for them. They were also incredibly thankful for Paul, one of the venues owners, and event manager Angie, for making their family and friends on the day feel incredibly welcomed. Hattie describes them as being incredibly attentive throughout the whole weekend.
Theme and Entertainment
Photo Credit: Expression Photography
Hattie explained their aim was for their wedding day was simplicity; a relaxed social event and That Amazing Place became the perfect backdrop for it. This desire was reflected in the theme with simple white flowers housed in exquisite glass throughout. The colour theme was also reflected throughout the entire bridal party with adult bridesmaids wearing platinum and younger bridesmaids wearing navy. Hattie went on to explain, “The Groom and groomsmen also wore navy with navy ties and white polka dots. Rhys’s tie was navy with purple polka dots to match my shoes and bouquet.” In terms of entertainment, they enjoyed a live band called “The Money” from Nottingham. They’d seen them “perform quite a few years ago at a family’s wedding and loved the variety of their sets, so were keen to have them play at our wedding. They also did the DJ’ing in between sets and finished off our night with a requested garage half-hour!”
Catering
Photo Credit: Expression Photography
Photo Credit: Expression Photography
For their catering, Hattie and Rhys opted for one of our preferred suppliers, the fabulous Premier Crew Catering. Hattie said, “Sarah was fantastic throughout the process…we wanted a simple, relaxed and social day so we went for Afternoon Tea as our Wedding Breakfast; this was followed by a hog roast and BBQ in the early evening for all of our day and evening guests. The food was fantastic and Afternoon Tea looked beautiful on entering the room.”
Photo Credit: Expression Photography
From all of us here at That Amazing Place, we’d just like to thank Hattie and Rhys for choosing our venue and once again, say a huge congratulations! We hope to see you again soon, perhaps celebrating your anniversary in the same place you chose to say, “I do”.
The last real wedding story based here at our Essex wedding venue, featured the gorgeous Adele and Victoria. Today however, we’re looking at the most beautiful nuptials of the stunning Kate and Ant. The golden couple first met on Match.com before online dating had even really began, as Kate puts it, “way before Tinder or any other snazzy app like that. He still reminds me that I cost him £14.99 because you could only talk to people if you paid for membership”. Fast forward 9 years later, 2 years after a beautiful proposal in Brussels and they found themselves saying “I do” right here at That Amazing Place, the perfect wedding venue for a truly amazing couple.
The Venue
Like a lot of couples we find booking their big day here at That Amazing Place, our beautiful Essex wedding venue was the first venue they viewed and as is common practice here, they fell in love with it instantly but after looking at five other venues afterwards (just to be sure), it was Ant who finally suggested That Amazing Place.
Theme and Entertainment
When discussing the theme of their wedding, Kate emphasised the fact that she wanted it to be simple and earthy, “we used logs to create the outside isle and put pictures of us on each cluster. My amazing friends created the frame on the gazebo using flowers and voiles. It took them hours to do but it was just what I wanted! I couldn’t have done any of it without all of them.” They also used a lot of greenery and a few quirky touches such as personalised cider bottles, which were also used as name places and peoples meal choices. They also had a table plan made from recycled wood as well as a guest frame made, instead of the usual book for people to sign that’s now proudly hanging in their home. When it came to entertainment, they opted for a band called The Bandits. They found the musicians themselves and were lucky enough to have them learn a brand new song, especially for them, the beautiful “Next To Me” by Emily Sande.
Catering
Kate and Ant opted for one of our recommended suppliers to provide the catering on their special day and let’s just say, they weren’t disappointed, “They were fantastic, we had a sample meal beforehand and picked 2 starters (Brie & Bacon Tart / Mozzarella & Tomato tart) and 3 mains (Pork in cider puree / Chicken in white wine / Vegetarian) for our guest to pre order.” They then chose to use their wedding cake, made by the super talented Christin Marrington, as dessert for everyone; and what a wedding cake it was. With a mix of chocolate and lemon layers, it truly was a treat for their guests. They also enjoyed canapés after the service with pimms and in the evening, their guests were treated to mini takeaways. Add to this a champagne reception and it would seem their big day really did have it all.
From all of us here at That Amazing Place, we’d just like to say a huge congratulations once again to the wonderful Kate and Ant. We hope to see you back very soon celebrating your anniversaries.
Here at That Amazing Place, we know only too well that just because a company has great reviews online, doesn’t mean it’s always going to stand up to your expectations. Let’s face it, with people recommending their friends and family’s companies left, right and centre, anyone who’s anyone can get a handful of great reviews within a few minutes of creating an online presence. It’s for this reason that finding the perfect caterer or the perfect wedding gown maker can feel so stressful. Not only are they hugely important roles but they’re involved in one of the most important days of your life too. That’s where personal recommendations come in so handy. You’re not simply reading a Facebook review, you’re talking to someone you know who’s actually used their service and that’s precisely why we decided to create our “Preferred Suppliers” list. From florists to photographers, we have everything covered to help you plan your wedding with ease.
What’s more, these are companies or individuals that we’ve worked with ourselves. That means that not only do we know their work but they know our wedding venue too. This we hope, will help you plan your wedding with ease, without the usual stress that people think of. To give you more of an idea, here are just a few examples of the companies we have on our preferred suppliers page:
Florists – as you can imagine, over the last couple of years, we’ve come across a wide range of florists supplying the weddings that place week in and week out. From our meetings, there have been a few in particular that have really shone and these include the fabulous Creative Designs to the amazing Gracie Day. We also highly recommend the fabulous services by the likes of Browns Blooms and Balloons as well as Jo Cook Floral Designs, Joanna Truby and the wonderful Vickie Cowell.
Hair Stylists – bridal hair, as you’ll no doubt know, is a hugely important aspect of any day and as such, it’s imperative that the right person is found for such an important part of the day. That’s why we narrowed our preferred suppliers list of bridal hair stylists down to just four because let’s face it, the bride must always look fabulous. From Lynette Chasmer to Beautiful Hair, along with Michelle Walker Hair Stylist to the now famous Team Glam, we really couldn’t think of anyone better to trust with such an important job on such a big day.
Catering – while helping the bride and groom look their best on their big day is of course important, there’s another aspect of any wedding that’s quite possibly even more so and that’s the catering. Not only does it need to be perfect for the happy couple themselves but it also needs to be perfect for every single one of their guests too. That’s why, once again, we recommend only four companies for the job. They are the phenomenal Magpie Catering, the wonderful Carte Blanche Catering, the sensational Premier Crew and last but by no means least, the fabulous Caribbean Cookpot.
Photography – wedding photos aren’t just with you on the day, they’re with you for the rest of your life which is why finding the right photographer, one who understands your style and just what you want to achieve, is super important. Luckily for you, we’ve compiled a fantastic list online of multiple photographers who we feel really offer a professional service and what’s more, know That Amazing Place too. From Amanda Karen Photography to Light Source Weddings and the fabulous Scott Miller Photography.
Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive and one quick peek on our website will show you the fantastic go-to directory we’ve created! Jump online today!
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