Flowers for 2012

I have been speaking to Lisa of Dream Day Flowers about trends for flowers for 2012.....here you will find what colours are most popular this season including what particular flowers you can choose to stay on budget!

Lisa, what are the most popular colours making their way this year?

Most brides seem to be having lots of fun with colour this year.  Cadbury’s purple is still about but not as big as 2011.  Vintage themes are very much in vogue this year.  So softer colours and less formal arrangements.  Blue’s are making an appearance this year from Navy to paler blues.  Navy like black can carry any flower colour.

And for flowers....what is big on trend this season?

Roses are always a big favourite with brides, with such a range of colours to choose from.  Flowers can have an emotional meaning and this can give a bride a reason to pick them.  If you have a favourite flower it is lovely if we can include it into your special day. Hand tied bouquets are still the brides favourite with the shower bouquet making an occasional return, depending on the dress.

To give brides ideas for table centres what would be your advice for giving the wow factor at different venues?When thinking about table centres you will have to take your venue into account. If the venue has low ceilings maybe use lower table arrangements to make the room feel more spacious. If you have a very light high ceiling at your venue, you could have very high arrangements filling the space.

You do not need to have the same arrangement on each table, you could do half tall and half in the lower style. Just remember it can distract conversation if flowers are in your guest’s eye line.

If you wish to include candles in your arrangements remember to ask your venue if the use of naked flame is allowed.

Also flowers can be arranged not only in vases etc, the vintage look is coming back this year. The use of jam jars, tea cups and plant pots look different. These could be given as gifts at the end of the wedding.

The all important question - how do brides stay on budget this year?

It is always hard when planning a wedding to have a budget and stay within it. I feel with the flowers is to choose a florist who you feel comfortable with. It you have a budget that is fixed you should tell the florist from the start. This would help them to guide your flowers choice.

If you choose flowers that are in season at the date of your wedding always helps. January to April will have an abundance of spring flowers, Tulips, Hyacinth and Daffodils. Tulips come in many wonderful colours, Hyacinths smell beautiful. From May onwards the summer flowers appear, giving you a huge selection

For my customers I always have a free consultation to discuss their actual needs. If you are having your ceremony and reception in one place, find out if you can use arrangements more than once, for instance by using a piece for the registrars table and putting it on the top table afterwards. Find out if you are paying for vase hire, I loan my vases free of charge.

Lisa of Dream Day Flowers can be contacted through Facebook, twitter or website: http://www.dreamdayflowers.co.uk/

Welcome to 2012 with Your Wedding and Events!!

We promise to be more on the ball with our blogs...a new year....a new us!

Ok so for 2012 we have lots to look forward to...clients weddings for "on the day management" and our full coordination service. We have linen bookings to set up, wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses to fit and steam...and not to forget our corporate events to organise and manage. Wow 2012 looks to be an exciting year so far!!

We plan to bring you new and exciting blogs throughout the year - shining a light on our industry and testing new products and services...just for you!

Our first blog of 2012 introduces us to our company, what we do and what we can offer you. I know a few of you already know us but for everyone else Hello and Welcome!

We are Your Wedding and Events Consultant. Breaking it down.....we consist of:

Your Wedding Dress

Our bridal boutique situated in the picturesque town of Helensburgh, 5 minutes from the breaktaking views of Loch Lomond. We showcase beautiful bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses including veils, tiaras, shoes and all accessories including occasion bags and guest wear.

Your Wedding Consultant

Professional and bespoke wedding planning. We have found our "on the day management" to be a popular package with our brides and grooms to be. This includes being involved with your wedding approx 4-6 weeks prior, contacting your suppliers and confirming all your last details...this allows you to put your feet up and relax...enjoy the last few weeks leading up to your big day with friends and family. We will take care of everything and be there on the day to run your wedding the way you wish us to.

Altertanively we also offer full and part coordination services where we are involved with the planning of your wedding. This can be as little or as much as you wish, and as we work with some of the best suppliers in Scotland...our exclusive discounts are passed straight to you!

Your Wedding Consultant Linen Hire

We are excited to launch for 2012 our linen hire. This includes everything from chair covers, sashes, table cloths to napkins. Worried that your chairs are too big to cover??? No Problem!! We can offer a manufacturing service meaning we can cover any chair in any style! This also means we can offer sashes in a range of colours...and if we dont have the exact colour to match...we will make them! Our linens are very competitevly priced...so make a visit to our boutique today to view our choice of colours for your wedding.

Your Events Consultant

Moving onto our corporate side of events. We work on a freelance basis meaning companies will make use of our event coordination services when they require an event to be organised. Our portfolio ranges from product launches to gala dinners, from team building days to corporate meetings and conferences. We have experience in events which we are very proud of and look forward to expanding in 2012. We also work with larger events companies on a freelance basis which we are very excited about and keen to progress.

Summer is....nearly here!!

The sun has got his hat on...hip hip hip hoorrraay! Well, he did, short lived....BUT we are moving in the right direction! Spring/Summer sunshine is slowly creeping in... enough for us to fish out our summer clothes, sunglasses and flip flops from the back of the wardrobe :-) So in celebration of British summer time here are a few ideas and themes for a perfect spring/summer garden wedding.

Sunflowers, roses, gerbera's  - All perfect to give the right feel to a summer garden wedding. Bursting with colour, texture, smell - photo's here show how various effects can be made from using these collaborations. 

Using such simple but elegant flowers still give the wow factor to your big day. White wicker ceremony chairs each with a single gerberaa placed on seat....organza ribbon tied around the aisle seating, string quartet playing pachelbel's canon as the bride takes her first steps towards her groom.....bliss!

Photographs courtesy of Dream Day Flowers.

Ceremony venue - a house / castle wedding with an elegant marquee - ivory swagging, wooden flooring, white linen with the white wicker chairing each with a varying height of table decoration to really make the first impression! 

Chandeliers hanging from the ceiling will help create an elegant but effective atmosphere. Glass will catch the natural sunlight during the day through big open windows....with dimmer switches turning down soft lighting in the night time. 

Photograph courtesy of Boturich Castle

Colour, Colour, Colour!! Corals, Buttermilks, Sages, strawberries... perfect for a garden theme wedding!!

Guest Blog - Kirsteen of Your Wedding at Loch Lomond and CIA Photography

Guest Blog

Today highlights our very first guest blog - the work of Kirsteen and Colin of Your Wedding at Loch Lomond and CIA Photography:

Please introduce yourself

I'm Kirsteen and I'm part of the team involved in Your Wedding at Loch Lomond, which is an on-line wedding directory for Loch Lomond brides to be. It lists a wide variety of wedding suppliers serving Loch Lomond and is free to advertise in.

As well as being involved in this directory, I have three other jobs, including providing wedding favours through www.canyoudomeafavour.co.uk and assisting my husband with his wedding photography business www.ciaphotography.co.uk. I am a mother to a two year old and an active volunteer in the community.

How many years have you been involved in the wedding industry?

My husband and I have been involved in the wedding industry since we were teenagers. However, CIA Photography was established in 2004. Can You Do Me A Favour and Your Wedding at Loch Lomond were established in 2010.

Its been very interesting to see how the wedding industry has changed over the past 10 or more years – back then people rarely, if ever, spoke of chair covers, cupcakes and candy buffets!

What pros and cons have you found while being in this industry?

Our aim of making the directory 'everyone's directory' has been achieved. Its demonstrated by the fact that many advertising requests come from wedding suppliers who have been speaking to our listed suppliers. We do appreciate our suppliers spreading the word and helping with recruiting other suppliers! Many suppliers have become friends with each other, recommending each other, purchasing from each other etc. We love it!

We have made so many friends from our suppliers and received support from many experienced and respected wedding professionals and from other wedding directories.

That said, not everyone in the wedding industry has been supportive. We're seen as a threat to some because we target the same customers. Also we are free, not all directories are, plus we are less restrictive, especially regarding who can advertise. We only have two rules – cover Loch Lomond and link back to us.

However, as a wise man once told me “You're not in business to win their approval, you're in business to win the approval of your clients” and that's working well so I no longer worry about it!

What made you set up "ywall"?

Earlier this year, we got talking with a group of wedding suppliers. We were all in agreement that brides to be in Loch Lomond were not getting a TRUE picture of the wide range of wedding suppliers available to them and also that local businesses were suffering as a result of, for example:

• very high advertising rates in newspapers and magazines

• favouritism in other directories, magazines, and brochures – eg different in size of advert if you pay more...

• Very high cost of tables/stands at wedding fayres – often as high as £400.

We decided to create an on-line wedding directory that would be free to use and free to advertise in. We would treat all suppliers equally, and show no favourtism. Our only rules would be that you would have to supply to Loch Lomond and link back to our website. No one who meets these conditions would be refused an advertisement on our site.

 

We felt this would support both established businesses and also new, small businesses. We feel very strongly that its not the hours you work, or how long you have been in the industry that matters, its the end result you produce and how your supplier gets on with other suppliers such as your venue.

It has grown very rapidly from one venue, a few photographers etc into successful directory with a large number of suppliers and a very full email inbox!

Tell us about "ywall" wedding fair

The Your Wedding at Loch Lomond Wedding Fayre will be held at the Dumbuck House Hotel in Dumbarton on Sunday the 27th February 2011. This will provide the venue with an excellent opportunity to attract brides to be and showcase their function suite.

In addition, it will allow brides to meet a wide range of wedding suppliers, including yourself, to assist them in planning their weddings. There will be a competition on the day, discounts, goody bags, live music and pampering.

Interested exhibitors should email us at info@yourweddingatlochlomond.co.uk but only a few tables remain.

What are your plans for the future?

In 2011, we are holding a wedding fayre in February and if this goes well, we will do another later that year and also continue this into the following years. We also hope to exhibit at wedding fayres ourselves and promote the YWALL brand.

We have also just completed brochures for YWALL which will be given to brides to be visiting our fayre in February 2011. These brochures have information on all of our suppliers as well as information on who YWALL are and what we do.

We've had advertisements in magazines and are in discussions for newspaper advertising also.

Web: www.yourweddingatlochlomond.co.uk

blog: www.yourweddingatlochlomond.wordpress.com

facebook: Your Wedding at Loch Lomond

twitter: www.twitter.com/wedatlochlomond

Wedding Suppliers - Jennifer's Cakes

I would like to shine the spotlight on an extroardinary talent in the West Coast of Scotland that is Jennifer's Cakes. Jennifer Millar makes the most beautiful cakes anyone will ever taste. They are so light yet so scrumptious, you can't stop trying them!! Weddings, Anniversarys, Birthdays, Christenings - you name it and she will make it!

Her cupcakes are to SO tasty, along with her yummy shortbread which can be made as favours, or a great idea is to have a replica of your wedding cake made into shortbread and then served with tea/coffee stage at the end of your meal.

A real hidden gem in Scotland, which will hopefully one day very soon be a huge talking point in the wedding industry.

What we have to offer

Ok so the weather has finaly managed to make an appearance, even just for a day, it is the start of our summer in Scotland! Imagine having your wedding reception outside in one of the most breathtaking locations in the world - Loch Lomond. Ok so the weather isn't perfect all year round, but hey that is what makes it such a magical location - you can experience four seasons in one day,and still make time to have your photographs outside!!

Your Wedding Consultant has access to one of the most breathtaking wedding venues that Loch Lomond has to offer. Boturich Castle now launches their marquee weddings, situated high up looking down on the Loch, this is one wedding venue you cannot afford to miss! With a blank canvas inside, you can really make this your own. Any colour scheme and themes that will really make your guests go wow!

Room decoration can be provided by our local team of experts being All Dressed Up or Let's Party of Helensburgh. Give your guests something different with new company Chocolate Days - delicious chocolate fountain!!

Call Your Wedding Consultant and Your Wedding Dress now to make an appointment for your free consultation.

Kirsty

news and events

Your Wedding Dress are constantly updating our news and events page with new and exciting shows being held all over scotland. Visit our website for more information on our fabulous wedding planning service and our exquisite bridal gowns.

http://www.yourweddingconsultant.net/

Your Chosen Wedding Venue - this could be The Lodge on Loch Lomond Hotel

With the sun finally making a visit, I decided to take a drive over to the picturesque village of Luss, looking right over Loch Lomond, today not a ripple in the water, bliss! The Lodge on Loch Lomond Hotel is currently going through a period of refurbishment, while building a second function room suitable for 140 guests. Floor to ceiling windows look out straight onto the Loch with the hills and mountains as a backdrop. Guests can enjoy their arrival drinks on their newly built balcony or terrace, or enjoy a walk along the beach while photographs are being taken. A rose garden is also being built infront of The McMillan Suite, perfect for your picture album!!

The Lodge on Loch Lomond Hotel wedding fair is taking place on Saturday 27th March, showcasing their new function suite with fashion shows, champagne, music........what more could you want?

Your Wedding Dress and Your Wedding Consultant will be exhibiting at this fabulous launch day, so come along and enjoy a relaxing day away from the stress and strains of city life!

Your Wedding Album

Your Wedding Album - a wonderful feeling receiving your completed wedding album - it is so much more than you could have wished and hoped for. Looking through your photographs just takes you back to your big day, all those special moments that you can sometimes forget. A family friend recently asked me to promise that every wedding anniversary, myself and my husband sit down and take a moment to look through our fabulous photographs and keepsake boxes of our memories from guest book, to wedding cards, from our first cork from our champagne to our place cards, those little details that you spent so many months making sure everything would be "perfect". I promised that I would, and already 3months too early I have started looking through our keepsake boxes!!

I recently assisted in the wedding preparations of Mr & Mrs Adams, photographs courtesy of Mark Cameron Photography. These photographs are wonderful, catching a glimpse of every moment during the day. So much different from the traditional wedding albums our parents received many years ago!

Wedding Fashion

As I look through the past trends for bridesmaid gowns, I can't believe how much the trends change year on year. There is a lot of bold bright colours with bridesmaid gowns this year...perhaps to warm us up over the past few months of freezing temperatures!! Purple is set to stay, making a huge impact last year on fashion. Here you can view a collection of occasion wear gowns I currently have showcasing within my new boutique, which can be worn for many occasions.

With Bridal Gowns, the lace up corset is making a huge return this year, more so than the zip up bodice. I think having your gown with a lace up bodice is fantastic, especially if you are worrying about your weight. You can really pull in if you have lost any weight prior to the wedding day, which most of us do due to nerves and worry!!

Tule is used a lot in 2010 and very detailed with a lot of crystal and pearls added in which just gives the WOW factor. Adding the perfect veil with matching drop crystals will really set off the detail in your gown - you will look a million dollars - and so you should on your special day!

Make an appointment at Your Wedding Dress today to view our fantastic collection of gowns, tiaras and veils.

History of Loch Lomond

With Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park spanning over 720sq miles, it is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Ben Lomond stands proud over Loch Lomond, the largest expanse of freshwater in Britain. Twenty three miles long and five miles at the widest point, this is one of the most romantic views within the area. Medieval castles and fairytale hideaways are just a small selection of the beautiful wedding venues known to Loch Lomond.

Being in Loch Lomond amongst peaceful surroundings playing host to some of Scotland’s most beautiful wildlife such as the capercaillie, freshwater pearl and Scotland’s mascot of the black grouse, you forget all the stress and strains of city life and it is hard to imagine that Glasgow, one of the UK’s busiest cities is only half an hour’s drive away.

Loch Lomond is defined by a fault line which separates the Lowlands with the Highlands, each housing striking differences to the landscape. The Trossachs area covering Aberfoyle and Callander are regarded as the miniature highlands with misty glens and freshwater lochs, in contrast to the Argyll Forest with breathtaking views from Glen Croe down to the wooded coast of Argyll.

Your Loch Lomond Wedding

Why choose to get married in Loch Lomond?

Couples looking to be married around Loch Lomond are spoilt for choice with quirky and vibrant wedding venues. From four and five star modern hotels right on the shores of Loch Lomond, to welcoming castles surrounded by 140 acres of woodland sitting up high overlooking the whole of Loch Lomond, everyone can find their perfect venue to celebrate their wedding day in style. A lot of couples fly off to exotic locations all over the world looking for their perfect venue, away from busy city life, in peaceful surroundings with friends and family enjoying every moment of their special day. All this and more is available right on your doorstep – welcome to Loch Lomond.

The village of Luss became famous from the televisions series of “Take the Highroad”, even though this finished many years ago, thousands of tourists pass through Luss each year, some even looking for the “Loch Ness monster”, only to find out this can only be found 3 hours north within the cairngorms national park! Loch Lomond is well known for many myths and stories, which makes it such a magical place. Lots of brides and grooms fall in love with Luss each year, especially for its quaint church which has the warmest welcoming available to everybody all over the world.

The weather in Scotland is always a talking point with many persons visiting here. Loch Lomond surrounded by hills and mountains, especially Luss can often draw the weather inwards. In one day you can experience the four seasons, making it such a magical location. The warmest time when you can really rely on the weather is spring time around April and May. This is such a colourful time of year to be wed with daffodils and tulips in full bloom, the ground is dry and the sunshine just takes the “crisp” off the cooler weather.

A winter wedding is also beautiful on the bonny banks with the panoramic views of Ben Lomond peek covered in snow sitting up high in the distance. A warm shrug required for the brides and bridesmaids venturing outside for photographs, welcomed inside by warn open fires sipping on a glass of mulled wine.

Loch Lomond offers the perfect backdrop for any wedding, any style, any time, any place.

Wedding Fayres

So the time of wedding shows is now nearly behind us,until it all starts again February 2010. A lot of wedding venues will of course be holding their own open days with their recommended suppliers. I have found that a few venues by Loch Lomond are holding their wedding fayres on the same day, with all the same suppliers! Just watch out as you could be visiting the same suppliers again and again. However if you really have fallen in love with your venue, visit them on these open days where they will be offering good deals on their services such as money off canapes/upgrade to free chair covers etc

I have a busy few months ahead of me, with weddings to plan, shop to decorate in time for the arrival of our gowns! A lot of meetings with brides which I can't wait for. I love hearing about each individual wedding and what poeples thoughts are.

Kirstyx