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!!

Wedding Gown Trends for 2011

2011 has now officially started – brides are back into wedding mode and looking for new styles and colours for this year.

Flowers are a big hit this year for the bridal industry whether this is patterned within the fabric of the gown or brooch designs added onto the body of the dress. Blush is the chosen colour by our fantastic bridal designers including Mori Lee and Benjamin Roberts as well as top couture designers on our catwalks.

In terms of styles of bridal gowns this season, the ever so popular fitted from bust to hips with a slight fish tail and train is making its appearance alongside our nations favourite princess style tulle layered skirts. Fitted bodice showcasing small waist lines into an A-Line skirt is the preferred design with a lot of our designers staying on-trend.

Bridesmaid choice of colour this season is slowly moving away from the every so popular purple making way for apple greens and fuchsia pinks – perfect for a spring/ summer wedding, or to warm up those dull days of autumn.

The importance of Merchandising!

We have teamed up with Esther Power of Black Feather Styling to bring to you the importance of merchandising for your business.

Visual image is very important to any retail environment:

- Transforms a browser into a potential buyer

- Gives a good visual impression of the inside of shop

- Showcases products

- Make a statement with products and props

Merchandising Inside:

- increases sales through carefully styled mannequins and displays

- which leads to "add-on sales" - i.e. style a mannequin in a jacket, gloves, hat and handbag - someone may love the jacket - see the whole outfit together and therefore purchases each item.

- Gives you the chance to showcase products which customers wouldn't necessarily put together - you have to remember a lot of people are not very good at visualising and imagining - you really have to spell it out to your customers

 - Remember to have your merchandise laid out clearly - do not mismatch your party wear with casual. If somebody is looking for a casual black pair of trousers - why would thy look between the glitz and glamour of party season?

 - Keep items in a colour - coordinated way (ish) - well as much as you can!



Window Dressers do not have to cost the earth. They add the "professionalism" which you carry throughout your shop being brought into your windows to the forefront of your business. If you really have a good window dresser you will find increase in sales straight away - many products sell out when we showcase them within a window display  all thanks to Esther Power!!

The Pink Gallery, Helensburgh

Our third guest blog for this month is from Carol Foubister of The Pink Gallery in Helenburgh.

The Pink Gallery, originally an art gallery in Helensburgh completely changed it's business direction when four years ago, Carol (owner) was aware of customer demand for high street clothing, beautiful handbags and affordable jewellery. This new direction has now proven to be a huge success!

"The Pink Gallery - Pink as in women / feminine - and Gallery of clothes, accessoreis, occasionwear, handbags, gifts and much much more! The eclectic feel to the shop appeals to customers of all ages and tastes. We very much emulate a city high street store yet has more unique and personal style. We move forward with the times by sourcing designer and high street labels  - making sure we stay on trend with the ever-changing world of fashion and accessories."

The Pink Gallery prides itself on their fantastic customer service. A one to one service with their customer is very important to ensure that they leave happy with their puchases, whether it's that little black cocktail dress, mother of the bride outfit or perhaps that thoughtful little gift for someone wrapped up in bows and pink wapping. This little aladdin's cave is a delight to explore and you will always be welcomed with a smile.

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

Party Wear has reached Your Wedding Dress

Sticks and Stones Party Wear has launched into Your Wedding Dress!!

Fun girly dresses suitable from sweet 16th birthdays to sophisticated little black cocktail gowns. Bursting with fun and bright colours each dress is transeasonal for any occasion! Mori Lee have created the sticks and stones range to bring some fun to the party scene

Come and view the collection of our new sleek and  stylish dresses so not to miss out!

Your Events Consultant

Your Events Consultant offers a professional and bespoke event design service to corporate companies and organisations. We are able to assist in the planning of your event, however large or small. Our company profile includes corporate off-site meetings, gala dinners, team building away days, conferences and exhibitions. We can also manage your travel arrangements for delegates with our extensive customer service experience.

 

Event Management is about creating and developing project management from small scale breakfast meetings to large scale exhibitions and conferences. Selecting the target audience is vital within event planning together with following event design briefs and concepts from our clients. Communication skills are key success in this industry including relationship building and industry knowledge.

Our company belief is customer service and delivering beyond what the client expects. From our event management experience we have built strong working relationships with our event suppliers allowing us to provide you a seamless service from beginning to end, including our after care service in analysing client response.

We offer a free consultation for event design where we can discuss your brief in full. This also extends to our freelance service for event coordinator positions. Through our suppliers we are able to offer you everything you require for your event from venue decoration to equipment hire, from press releases to copy writing. Positioned in the West of Scotland, your events consultant is able to travel throughout the UK on a freelance basis able to work remotely at anytime.

Wedding gown trends 2010

Wedding Gowns on trend in 2010


I see many brides entering our boutique with two similar style gowns featuring again and again. The first style popular in 2010 is the Katie Price-Cinderella style gown. Here are two examples of this, one being slightly fuller than the other, still giving brides a choice without being too over the top.

The first gown named Cinderella features a gorgeous sweetheart bodice with diamante jewelled detail featuring heavily until this breaks down onto the tulle layered skirt. This is perfect for those looking to emphasize their small waist and really show their curves. The second gown called Elle features a big trend this year – floral design. Many tiny flowers are aligned across the top half of the bodice with tiny diamante crystals to still show the sparkle in the design. The ruche effect across the bodice leading to a ribbon waist line, gives fuller girls the confidence to wear this gown and compliment their shape. The tulle layered skirt begins higher upon the hips compared to Cinderella.

A second popular trend this season is the slinky-fish-tail design, perfect for brides-to-be with smaller, curvier frames. Here are two examples of this design

First gown named Sophie in silky satin material drapes flawlessly around silhouette figure with tie-up design at back of dress. Gown drapes to floor with cathedral length train following into a “puff ball” bubble hemline. A popular style of hemline this year, not a great fan with seamstresses, but none the less a big hit with our brides to be. Second gown Daisy in taffeta makes this gown feel somewhat lighter – perfect for the hot summer weddings. The ruche details carries fluidly through this gown giving a fan design to the mermaid style train. Floral design appearing again onto this gown features small segments of sparkle creating a fairytale design.

Your Wedding and Events Consultant

Kirsty, Company Director is excited to announce the launch of Your Wedding and Events Consultant Ltd. Here below you will find examples of our work:

Birthdays/Christenings/Anniversaries

With a special event or celebration your event consultant will be on hand to assist in helping you create a fun-filled memory. A tea party summer occasion or simple yet elegant anniversary, we have a fantastic working relationship with local suppliers to add to your venue. Shocasing to you and your guests the best Scotland has to offer. Hiring an events co-ordinator to make your day that extra bit special, does not cost the earth. with exclusive discounts with many of our preffered suppliers, our cost is built into your costs - not an extra add-on.

Contact Kirsty today for a free consultation to find out how she can assist in your preparations. There are no "packages" to adhere to, Your Event Consultant is as flexible as you require to suit your every need.

Corporate

The launch of your new product, a team building event with a difference or perhaps you require our attendance at a prestigious event to oversee the finer details, Your Event Consultant has experience in each and every area of evet management. Kirsty Mussett, Company Director, achieved her degree in Business and Management from Glasgow Caledonian University after focusing on modules including Public Relations, Communications & The Media, and Marketing Fundamentals. Kirsty drew upon her knowledge when taking a position as event coordinator at a luxurious hotel on Loch Lomond. With event management skills, valuable knowledge of the event industry and key contacts, Your Event Consultant is here to make your event a success.

Our profile includes:

Product Launches

International Conferences

Team building days

Company meetings off-site

Gala Dinners

Exhibitions

Company functions

Travel Coordination

 

Within our current business climate, companies are working longer days, with more commitment to their work. To save organisations time and money with their budget, Your Event Consultant offers a freelance event coordination service. This enables a company to hire our services when they are required to do so. No annual salary to provide, meaning we can guarantee a highly professional service with an affordable cost.

Your Wedding Your Way

GLASGOW

Glasgow is well known for being a cosmopolitan city and one of the busiest in the whole of europe. However you would be suprised to find wedding venues that take you out of the city, yet are still in the very heart of one of the most stylish and chic cities within the UK. From 5 star townhouses to roof top terraces right in the centre of town, your wedding consultant has access to it all. With Glasgow offering plenty of accommodation for your guests to suit all different tastes and budgets, you really can’t go wrong. There are plenty of historic places for people to visit including museums and even arranging a tour on the open top buses for that glasgow experience!

Venues used by Your Wedding Consultant include the outstanding One Devonshire Gardens at Hotel Du Vin.

EDINBURGH
Scotland’s capital city has so much to offer from breathtaking manor houses to medieval castles, ideal for any wedding. Edinburgh offers a mass of history and architecture which is worthwhile a visit with tours around the magnificent Castle, enjoying the grounds from the Royal Mile and quaint bars and restaurants along Rose Street, there is plenty to enjoy making your wedding a relaxing weekend for the whole family. Only an hour’s drive from Edinburgh on the east coast of Scotland lays St Andrews and its surrounding areas. For golf lovers this place is truly magical. With the Fairmont Hotel sitting high up on the hill overlooking the whole of St Andrews and beyond, this is the ideal retreat for any special occasion

HIGHLANDS

From country houses to highland castles, from lighthouses to grand manors, the highlands have so much for any bride and grooms looking for the perfect location to celebrate their special day. The Cairngorms offers the most breathtaking scenery in Scotland inside the largest National Park in Britain. With Scotland being the home of golf, any grooms or male party members looking to relax and enjoy 18 holes before the big day have a range of superb golf courses on offer. The highlands also offer the perfect location for any bride and groom looking to celebrate their honeymoon with luxurious hotels and characteristic cottages.

Destination Weddings

Dreaming of the perfect wedding with your ceremony on the beach overlooking the Caribbean - bliss! Many of us would love to be whisked away with a small group of our family and friends to our favourite destination - but perhaps think this could never be possible. In fact, more often than none this is a less expensive option, however those of us which have large families may find it hard not having our nearest and dearest around us on our special day. So, how about a compromise? Those that can make your destination wedding will be there,and everyone else can join in when you return home!

Starting with your wedding gown - in the heat of the Mediterranean sun you want this to be as lightweight as possible. A few suppliers, in particular Mori Lee, have their own range of Voyage / Destination dresses. Many of these are softer and lighter materials such as chiffon and silk taffeta, minus the underskirt of course! Just because you are flying abroad, this does not mean you have to miss out on the gown of your dreams - just take a look at this small selection of gown by Madeline Gardner of Mori Lee.

Your wedding flowers - go colourful! many of these wedding destinations have wonderful colourful flowers in bloom all year round. The hotel will have their preferred suppliers and may even include this within their wedding packages!

Your wedding cake is something you will not want to go overboard with a small wedding party abroad. How about cupcakes to mark this special day which can act as a second dessert after your wedding meal? With the average three tier wedding cake being able to feed 100 + persons, make sure this is something not missed at your reception back home.

Your honeymoon - After your ceremony relax and enjoy your surroundings and what your hotel has to offer on your fabulous honeymoon. Enjoy being treated as royalty for a few days! remember though that many countries require you to be in the country at least 3/4 days prior to your wedding day.

Popular wedding destination weddings include Dominican Republic, Cuba, Mexico, South of France, Italy and Cyprus.

Contact Your Wedding Consultant today to learn more about destination weddings and what is available to you, to make your wedding day perfect.

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.

Fashion - a look at how the high street trends are having an impact on our wedding plans!

With the fashion world going into a frenzy with the nude / vintage look new for this season, this is being carried into our bridal world too. A lot of lace wedding gowns with big girly bows are making an appearance this season, you can imagine wearing this with your bridesmaids in short cut dresses with netting underneath for a prom-style look, while you set your doves free! Tea-party dresses with gorgeous over-the top vintage style corsages or hair pieces will really make you "on-trend" as a guest this season.

Cupcake wedding cakes are becoming ever more popular, really flying the flag for the "british tea-party" feel, again you can imagine sitting in a gorgeous park on your tartan rug basking in the sunshine, while you make your way through your scrumptious picnic!

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 Suppliers

I feel working as a wedding consultant, that I have the best job in the world! Not only do I get to see how happy a bride and groom are on their wedding day, after assisting in their wedding plans, but I also work with some of the most fantastic wedding suppliers in Scotland, and what is more perfect than that?!

Jennifer Millar is such a hidden gem in the west coast of Scotland. Her wedding and occasion cakes are the best I have seen...and the yummiest!! Below you will find a sample of her work.

We also have another of Jennifer's cakes in our window, which has already drawn in so many customers. Her work is out of this world and her prices are so reasonable, quite a bit lower than many big names in the wedding industry.

Another one of my favourite suppliers I have the pleasure of working with is All Dressed Up, chair cover company. Victoria and Maragaret are mother and daughter team who have taken the wedding industry by storm. Their business has exploded onto the scene, and they deserve every bit of praise!

Why choose a wedding consultant?

Some people have the preconception of a wedding planner as somebody running around on the wedding day sporting a microphone from a scene from the Wedding Planner with Jennifer Lopez.... At Your Wedding Consultant we pride ourselves in offering our wedding couples the finest service in the wedding industry, taking away all those stress and strains letting you enjoy those special moments leading up to your big day.

Hiring a wedding planner to be part of your wedding day does not have to cost the earth. Our wedding cost will be part of your wedding budget, instead of being an extra expense. With the knowledge of the best wedding suppliers throughout Scotland we will save you money and time, saving you visiting more wedding fairs than necessary! Our wedding suppliers and vendors have a wealth of experience behind each and every one of them, all offering that something special for your day to make your guests go "WOW"!

With Your Wedding Consultant, we can join in with your wedding plans at any stage. Perhaps you want us to join you in shopping for that perfect wedding gown, or maybe you just wish for us to provide you with some advice on a wedding supplier you have sourced, we are here to help. With any wedding package we offer, we will update you every month on the process of your wedding planning, with two weeks prior providing you with a running order of your day that we will also go through with your venue host to make sure every last detail is taken care of.

Your Wedding Cake

Creating Your Perfect Wedding Cake

At Your Wedding Consultant, we have access to the best wedding cake suppliers in Scotland. This is the tastiest part of the whole selection – the cake tasting

Traditional wedding cakes were fruit only; however now modern times have moved onto include Madeira, chocolate sponge and even lemon drizzle. You have spent time choosing the correct ingredients, the gorgeous icing and decoration, so don’t let it go to waste, our advice is have a selection of each, that way every guest will find something that will add to their whole experience of your wedding day!