Supplier focus: Top 5 places to check out for entertainment

 
For my wedding i would really love a live band. I'm not sure at the moment if our budget is going to cover it but that's the dream. Entertainment at weddings can be so varied now from circus performers to burlesque acts so i've put together a little shortlist of some event networks that you need to make sure you check out!

1. Like it live

This is a directory for live bands and they have a great selection. All bands have public liability insurance and come with tested equipment and arrangements can be made to see the bands before booking. They can provide bands for all over the UK so everyone is catered for. Most of the bands profiles have a few sample tracks on for you to check out and a sample song list so you can ensure they are the type of band you want. I think the band profiles offer good information including references and what is actually on offer.

2. Contraband events

You can get every type of entertainer on this site from caricature artists to bands to dancers or face painting. You can ever get interactive entertainment such as simulators and fairground rides and don't forget the 'food entertainment' which includes oysters and slushie cocktails (yes please). Each entertainment profile contains some information on the nature of the act, testimonials and a past client list.

3. Alive network

This site caters for those looking for live bands and musicians, DJs and a wide range of entertainment. I think this is the best site for entertainment profiles because it actually contains PRICES! You can check availability instantly, listen to demos, see set lists, read testimonials and there are a selection of packages for most acts with different prices.

4. Steppin out

Another site that offers a really wide range of entertainment and even includes car hire plus you can also search for entertainment by theme which can be useful. Some of the profiles include prices although many say poa however sufficient information is provided as to the details.

5. Warble entertainment

This site offers a really wide range of both musicians and entertainers and the acts profiles are AMAZING! It offers references, previous clients, FAQs etc BUT it includes prices and what's more prices to each individual area so you know EXACTLY what it will cost you which is very useful!

DIY DIVA: Love in a jar

 
Ok so i've totally fallen for the whole mason jar trend that is around at the moment. How versatile are they? Plus i'm imagining they are quite affordable? I knew that top photo would draw you in, its too gorgeous not too! Rainbow cake in a jar, i love it! I've featured this before on the blog i have to admit but its just too pretty, the recipe can be found at Babble. If someone did this for me i would be theirs forever! Just saying, forget the wedding ring, the cake is where its at.

Smores aren't really a big thing in the UK (unfortunately) and while i'm someone who has roasted plenty of marshmallows i've never enjoyed smores (bucket list item right there). I'm loving this smores in a jar, i'm a marshmallow monster so i cannot imagine how good this tastes! It can be found at emmaline bride.

I'm the worst person at planning a dessert table for a wedding, i literally want it all. Cupcakes, normal cake, macarons, doughnuts, cheese, giant pavlovas and my latest thing is pie, specifically cherry. Therefore this mason jar idea is sooo up my street, something i'm def mentally filing for a birthday treat. This can be found at green wedding shoes.

I have to say i cook a good cupcake, taste wise that is, appearance wise they are AWFUL! I can't seem to ice a cake to save my life so this whole cupcake in a jar idea would really make my job easier. You wouldn't even have to worry about the cupcakes rising all uneven or spilling over the edge. I know some people like to bake in the jar but i just think i would feel happier about this recipe, less chance of things going wrong! It could be found at  my cakies blog.

Now this is one i haven't seen before, soup! Lets face it soup isn't the most exciting thing is it? Its total comfort food but its not something you can really spruce up....until now. Imagine being ill and receiving this, instant health regeneration me thinks! Find the 'how to' at makes and takes.

Style me pretty featured this DIY feature for ice cream in a jar. Its a great little favour for your guests and they only need to add ice so its not like its a kit that takes a lot of effort for them. Its an interesting idea!

Moving away from the food aspect now to an idea i absolutely adore. I do love when i see in photos, instead of confetti, people using bubbles to greet the couple as they leave the venue. However a lot of bubble dispensers still havent really caught up to the wedding standard and do tend to look quite tacky, enter these babies. They are just so gorgeous and so easy as well! Find them at emmaline bride.

Another great way to use the jars, this time as table numbers. If i was doing this idea i would probably use coloured sand but this seems like a really easy idea and would fit into many themes. This can be found at once wed.

Another mason jar table number idea and well, isn't this totally adorable???? Its not something that would take a huge amount of time, effort or money yet would really be a talking point for the guests. This is featured on ruffled.

For those who want their mason jars spruced up a bit these are two different tutorials on how to colour your jars. The top tutorial is from 100 layer cake while the bottom picture comes from tatertots and jello.

 

Real life weddings of the week!

Isn't the weather lovely today, a water pipe had burst at the end of the road and all the children were playing in it, quite a sight. Anyway on with business, we've got some utterly gorgeous weddings for you today! My first wedding comes to you courtesy of Style me pretty and is just incredibly elegant. Its a beautiful venue and they've decorated it really well with some classic styling.

So another wedding where i've totally fallen in  love with the venue. I sooo wish there was somewhere like that around me! This is also another wedding which follows suite with really classic and simple styling, find it over at Elizabeth Anne Designs.

This Green wedding shoes wedding really has such a great palette, its so cute and very pretty. I think the table decor is really gorgeous, its not over the top and remains really charming. Proof that less is more.

This wedding at Rock my wedding was sent in by the groom, which was a first for them and Dan, the groom in question, really does have a wonderful way of describing the wedding. This is just a stunning wedding, picking two photographs to display was so hard so i really beg you to head over for the full wedding now! Part one and Part two.

SUCH beautiful styling shown here. I love the colour palette and it really gives such a romantic charm to the wedding. This wedding can be found at Style me pretty and it really is stunning.

Wow. I've seen some stunning dresses in my time but never one with such a stunning back! I mean its good thinking, thats what people are going to be seeing throughout the ceremony right? The styling in this wedding is really pretty as well which makes sense why its on style me pretty!

I love the vintage styling on the photographs, makes them seem like a gorgeous summer dream. This wedding has some really sweet touches like the couple coming out to bubbles and the groomsmen having the cutest boutonnieres ever. See this wedding at green wedding shoes.

This couple had their wedding in Italy but then went home to Liverpool and had a seriously rock n roll reception. I love seeing a wedding where the personality of the couple really emerges, where else would you find this amazing wedding but at rock n roll bride.

This is a seriously cute wedding from Style me pretty that has some amazing styling in it, rife for inspiration. The brides dress is just stunning as well.

Inspiration board: Camping

Bottom left pic of table and top middle pic of cake on BBQ from Elizabeth Anne  Designs.

Bottom middle pic of couple standing underneath arch from Whip up.

Left middle pic of 'Just married' sign and right middle pic of bonfire from wonderful day weddings.

Central picture from Simply Bloom photograhy.

Right middle pic of coloured lanterns from the sweetest occasion.

Top right pic of camping cakes and left middle picture of wraps from the sweetest occasion.

Top middle pic of dessert table from The wedding decorator.

Top left pic of bride against white background from BettyJoy.

Bottom right pic of paper boats from style unveiled.

Bottom middle pic of DIY smores kit from Valley and Co.

My week in pics, super pretty inspiration and a dessert table or two along the way...

My London girlies!

Hello all! I've writing this from the bed of my old childhood room, i LOVE being at home. I've been home since Tuesday as i came back for my Nans funeral and i have to say it really was a lovely day, we would have made my Nan proud. The turnout was fantastic and everyone left full of compliments over the upbeat celebratory mood of the day.

On Friday we went over to the boys house as his parents had thrown a celebration as a well done for graduating with all his family. Much champagne was enjoyed and on Saturday i travelled up to London with 7 beautiful girlies to see Shrek the Musical. We arrived in the afternoon and had a few drinks in Covent Garden, as the weather had decided to stay lovely and warm, then we headed over to Sway for dinner and cocktails (Happy hour 50% off YES PLEASE). Afterwards onto Shrek which was really funny and entertaining and before we went home we ended up in Leicester Square having drinks. It was an amazing day.

Today i've taken my little cousin out for the day, bowling and then for lunch at TGI Fridays. I told her that for the wedding i would be making her a female usher and she was excited. She then persuaded me to take her shopping! I'm a sucker at saying no.

I'm now totally bloated from lunch but its the future mother in laws birthday today so we are off out for dinner! I'm going to have to have the smallest thing on the menu!

This style me pretty inspiration shoot is delighting me! Its such a pretty palette and just wait until you see the bridal model and her shoes!

I swear every week i post a picture of a childs birthday party of which i'm incredibly jealous and this week is no expception. In this case a 1 year old called Emory was the recipient of this fab party where guests created watercolour pieces for her to see when she was older! I cannot tell you how much i adore the idea, go over to the sweetest occasion now to see the full gallery.

This 1920's wedding inspiration shoot is just beautiful. I have to admit when i first opened the post i didnt think i would be that interested because 1920's is just a bit earlier than what i like but this shoot was just gorgeous! Its so pretty and its certainly something i'm going to take some inspiration from. Find it at green wedding shoes.

Now from some vintage styling to straight out colour we have some more fab inspiration from style me pretty. This shoot instantly makes me feel warm (ok so its boiling at the moment anyway but you get my drift) as its such a gloriously sunny and bright shoot. Its not just the weather but the great styling as well.

Ok this is THE dessert tables of all dessert tables, this is the one that i'm filing away in order to hopefully recreate at my wedding. I ADORE!!! This features on the Amy Atlas blog and i just can't stop staring, i just totally love it. I beg mine will look half as decent.

One last little note, you HAVE to check out this super cute website which is just the cutest proposal and make sure you scroll right down to the bottom where you can see her reaction.

Remembering a loved one at a wedding

 With the passing of my Nan came the realisation that she wouldn't be around to witness me getting married and that saddened me, having a loved one not being there on your wedding day is something so many brides go through and so it inspired me to do some research on how you can remember those not with us anymore on your special day.

• Having something on the bridal bouquet is a great way to keep that person in the wedding. It could be a brooch they wore, a picture of them, the bouquet could be wrapped in material from an item of their clothing or you could even choose their favourite flower for your bouquet. 
• Asking guests for a charity donation for a charity related to that persons memory is a very kind gesture.  The donation you make means that some other person somewhere else might be able to enjoy their wedding with their loved one alongside them. If you feel you can't afford to make the donation then you can always give something from the charity (such as a bracelet or pin) as a wedding favour.
• You may wish to make a mention in the wedding program. A paragraph that reads something like 'As we embark on the next stage of our lives together we would like to take the time to lovingly remember those close to our hearts who are no longer with us'.
• If your loved one had a recipe they were famous for cooking then now is the time to bust it out. A recipe for something sweet would fit right in on a dessert table and as favours you could prepare little scrolls of the recipe, unless its super secret of course!
• Something i'm doing is having a table full of pictures from both sides of the family. I've created a beautiful collage from my Nans photos of her on her wedding day, her with her children and her on holiday. This not only acts to remember them but introduces one side of the family to the other rather well.
• If you wish to incorporate them into the actual ceremony wording you could have a talk with your officiant and they may be able to advise you on how that could be done. Similarly you could have a reading that holds significance in regard to the loved one.
• If the loved one had a piece of music that reminds you of them then you could have that played at some point in the wedding in a way you see fit.
• I would have loved it if my Nan had kept her wedding dress but unfortunately not. However some couples may be lucky enough to have an item from their loved one that they can wear on the day, whether it be cufflinks, a veil or some jewellery.
• You may wish to light a candle in the ceremony symbolising the loved one.
• The after dinner speeches are another great way to say a few words about those not with you.
• As a post wedding tribute some brides may like to lay their wedding flowers on the grave of their loved ones after the wedding day.

I would advise that you choose an option that remembers your loved ones yet doesn't add a dejected atmosphere to the wedding. The loved one wouldn't want to take away from your happy day. You want to celebrate their life and its important that the tone is kept upbeat.

Etsy shop of the week: ArturoRios

$165/ £103.81

$249/ £156. 66

 These hats are just wow! These hats are very fashion avant garde but i would just die if i ever saw a bride in these, they are gorgeous! How amazing would that pink headpiece look with a white dress? They ship worldwide and really are going to be an amazing talking point, really worth that price tag!

$169/ £106.33

$340/ £213.92

$295/ £185.60

DIY DIVA: Strawberry love!

This gorgeous inspiration board from Love the Day really brightened up my day. Strawberries are such a summer thing (even though at the moment it doesn't feel like summer here in the UK) and they are super yummy! Plus because they are fruit it means i can totally justify scoffing bucketloads of them (with cream and sugar and meringue of course).

First up for the DIY suggestion is decorated cookie with these chocolate cupcakes. Yes, cupcakes! Its such a creative idea and how great would these look on the tables for your guests or in some kind of garden themed dessert table, it really encourages creativity!

Strawberry trifle on a stick! I love this because its so simple but really great for those summer BBQ's and backyard weddings (i'm saying backyard! These wedding blogs have really Americanised me). I would totally have these to dip in chocolate as well...just saying, you know in case these seem too healthy for you! This can be found on recipe girl.

If i was having a summer wedding i would adore something like this. I know what you're thinking, how can strawberry margaritas get any better? I mean yeah they taste a bit better when you're enjoying them in the sun on a beach as opposed to at home in front of the TV but anyway i digress...make them frozen! Bakers Royale features these amazing popsicles.

Real life weddings of the week!

 I know i only did some catchup posts at the weekend but already i have fallen in love with some more weddings! I just adore this dress, gorgeously vintage! The styling of the wedding is really cute and captured so wonderfully by their photographer. The flower girl and ring bearer are adorable as well! This wedding can be found at style me pretty.

I mean that photo is just amazing isnt it?!?! Aside from an amazing photographer this wedding has some wonderfully simple and classic styling and i love the colour scheme in the evening of pink, orange and black. This wedding can also be found at style me pretty.

This wedding features some of my favourite ever stationary and i absolutely adore the bunting and ribbon decoration. I also love how they used their stationary to inspire their cake topper. Theres a lot i'm talking abut that you cant see right? Well go over to Green wedding shoes now then!

What an amazing venue! If i had a local library like this then it would have been my first venue choice! Notice how they dont even have to decorate it because the venue is just stunning alone, how much more ideal can you get? This full wedding can be found at ruffled.

There is just soo much stuff i love about this wedding. This is one of those weddings that go straight into my personal wedding folder. The ceremony backdrop is just stunning and so easy to recreate and i adore the laid back vibe of the whole wedding, arn't backyard weddings gorgeous? This full wedding can be found at Hey Gorgeous.